Finding the right activities to soothe a stressed-out nervous system isn’t always easy. Sometimes we need the safety of routine and familiarity, and sometimes we need something new to break out of unhelpful habits. Sometimes we don’t realize we’re in a fight-or-flight state until we’re spiraling into a full-blown meltdown or we’re already absolutely burnt out, and other times we’re able to heed the warning signs and prevent that from happening. Either way, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which has the power to override stress and bring the body back into balance, is the best defense for our overall health and well-being. Here are some ideas for keeping your nervous system regulated, your peace of mind intact, and your daily life in flow. 

1. Shaking it out

Shaking out stress and tension is a powerful way to release a pent-up nervous system. Animals do this in the wild after escaping a predator, but it benefits humans as well.  You can take a structured approach with a TRE practitioner online, or blast some music and jiggle about for a bit, shaking out the hands, arms, legs, and shoulders. If you’re in the mood, don’t hold back on a little twerking. Alternatively, you can also try our dance meditation! 

2. Self-massage

A sweet way to signal to the body that it is safe to relax, self-massage can be done on any part of the body you can reach. Gently rub your feet and calves with the pads of your thumbs, or knead out the tension in your thighs. The jaw is often a particularly tense spot, so give yours a wiggle and a massage down from your temples, neck and the tops of your shoulders before bed. 

3. Drinking tea

Some herbal teas like chamomile can be considered adaptogenic because of their relaxing properties. But just the ritual of brewing and sipping a warming cup of (non-caffeinated) tea is a powerful signal to the nervous system that there is time for peace and calm. Add some honey for extra soothing sweetness, and take time out of your day to enjoy it like a hug in a mug.

4. Snuggle time

This can be done with a pet, a partner, a child, or just you and your favorite blanket. Carve out time to get cozy and enjoy having nowhere to be and nothing to do. Calm, quality time with someone else is called co-regulation, and experiencing physical touch can have even deeper and longer-lasting effects. 

5. Journaling

A great way to get some emotional rest and activate the parasympathetic response, journaling helps release the mental chatter that can accompany stress and anxiety. Get everything out on paper, no matter how scary or trivial it seems. Write down what you are feeling now, and bring in some creativity and imagination to make plans and goals for when the storm has passed. 

6. Mewing

Proper resting tongue posture activates the parasympathetic nervous system. There’s a neurological cluster behind the top front teeth, what’s known as “the spot”, and the tip of your tongue should rest here any time you aren’t talking or eating. If you are unable to keep it there consistently, with the rest of the tongue suctioned to your palate, then it may be a sign of an oral dysfunction such as tongue tie, and it’s worth getting checked out. As an added bonus, mewing is rumored to improve facial aesthetics.

7. Stretching

Holding a stretch for a longer period of time is another simple nervous system hack, and it’s something you can do while listening to music or even watching TV. You could even play one of our sound-healing meditations or focus on your breathing. Do some simple static stretches or hip openers like pigeon pose, and hold them for a few minutes – or just as long as is comfortable. You can also find Yin or Restorative yoga classes to guide you either locally or online. 

All of the content on our website is thoroughly researched to ensure that the information shared is evidence-based. For more information, please visit the academic journals that influenced this article: The Anatomical Relationships of the Tongue with the Body System; Physiology of the Autonomic Nervous System