Hi Hanna,

In the past I've talked about the importance of co-regulation and that if your child is having a meltdown the first step to help them is actually making sure that you are calm. Today I want to share a strategy (a simple eye exercise) that you can use to quickly help lower your arousal level so that you can be present and calm when your child needs you to contain them emotionally. It's also a strategy that you might be able to teach your child depending on their age and ability to understand. Younger children won't be able to separate head and eye movement so I wouldn't even try this with a child under 6.

This eye exercise works by stimulating the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve and it really is fascinating. I could write pages and pages about it but I won't so please do have a Google if you are interested in finding out more. In brief, the vagus nerve plays a role in the autonomic nervous system, which controls actions we do unconsciously, such as breathing, digestion and our immune system. It is also thought to form a link between the gut and the brain. In terms of our emotions, the vagus nerve is used to counteract our fight/flight system. It’s how we develop a healthy stress response and become resilient. When the vagus nerve is stimulated we feel calmer and clearer.

There are lots of ways to strengthen the vagus nerve. For example breathwork, meditation, yoga, playing a musical wind instrument and singing or chanting. This eye exercise is a nice quick and easy one that you can do in the moment in a stressful situation. There are other eye exercises too; again have a Google if you'd like to try some others. 

The eye exercise can take a bit of practice before you truly feel the benefit but once it works for you, it works really well so stick with it. 

Either click on the video at the end of this email or click here to view the eye exercise demonstration. 

Let me know if you try this and if it helps!

Hanna

P.S. I still have a few places left on my free training in September. For more info click here. 

If you are interested in an assessment for your child alongside my dedicated support for 6 months then click here for more information.