Resetting Your Nervous System: Why It Matters & How to Do It What’s Going On Inside Your nervous system is made up of two main branches: - Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) – the “fight or flight” or stress response - Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) – the “rest and digest,” recovery mode When you’re under continual stress, trauma, or anxiety, the sympathetic side tends to dominate. That leads to elevated heart rate, shallow breathing, mental tension, restlessness, difficulty sleeping, etc. Resetting the nervous system means giving the PNS a chance to take over so that your body can calm down, recover, and regain balance. A Simple Exercise: The “Basic Vagus Reset” One effective method involves gently stimulating the vagus nerve — a major part of the parasympathetic nervous system — combined with breath work and mindful posture. When done properly, it encourages relaxation, lowers stress hormones, slows heart rate, and overall fosters a feeling of calm. Here’s how to do it: Step-by-Step Vagus Reset Exercise 1. Find a Quiet Comfortable SpaceSit or lie down somewhere you won’t be disturbed. It helps if the room is quiet, dimly lit, and calming. 2. Slow, Deep Breaths 3. Gentle Neck Stretch / Relaxation 4. Soft Gargles or Humming (Optional but helpful) 5. Body Scan / Progressive Muscle Relaxation 6. Finish with Mindful Stillness Why It Works - The vagus nerve is one of the main ways your body shifts into parasympathetic mode. Stimulating it helps reduce heart rate, blood pressure, cortisol. - Breath control slows your breathing, increases oxygenation, and signals your brain it’s safe to relax. - Muscle tension and posture store stress. Releasing tension and opening the body reduces physical reminders of stress. - Mindfulness / body scans shift your mental state away from rumination or worry, anchoring you in the present. When to Use This Reset - After a stressful event or argument - When you notice anxiety, racing thoughts, or shallow breathing - Before bed if you have trouble winding down - Anytime you need to shift out of overwhelm and into calm