Coastal Beaches Therapy
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Services
  • FAQS
  • Appointment Request
  • Resources
  • Let's Connect
  • Blog

Your Mind and Body Be-Lung Together

5/14/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Breathing is seriously underrated. Did you know you could improve your mood, contain anxiety, enhance sports performance, and pump the breaks just by taking a few breaths? 

In previous posts, I have talked about the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system. In short, the vagus nerve connects the brain to everything from the tongue, pharynx, vocal chords, lungs, heart, stomach, and intestines to different glands in the body that produce enzymes and hormones, influencing digestion, metabolism, and much more. 

The vagus nerve's influence on your lungs and heart and the connection to your brain is pretty awesome, considering this trio combined controls your body and governs your mind. To manage your state of mind and stress levels, all you have to do is activate the calming parasympathetic branches of the nervous system. 

Note: we typically do not have direct control over our nervous system, and we can't just press a button to turn the parasympathetic pathways on like a light switch. However, if you try to hold your breath for just a brief moment and then intentionally exhale very slowly, you can stimulate the vagus nerve and begin to feel grounded within your body and mind. 

In other words, I am encouraging you to train your breath. Swimmers are exceptionally good at this skill. Yoga is another activity that focuses on breath with movement. By actively focusing on your breath and the movements of your diaphragm, your autonomic nervous system will begin to communicate with your lungs, heart, and other organs for instant relaxation. 

Try to activate your own vagus nerve! How? Simply breathe out very slowly. Can you feel how your heart rate slows and your mind relaxes instantly? 

Although I am writing about a new skill, I am still encouraging you to learn from yourself. You are your best friend. Nobody knows you and your situation better than yourself. If and when you need the support, I will be here for you. Just let me know if I can help. 
0 Comments

    Author

    Amy Pope-Latham, LCSW is a clinical psychotherapist in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.
    ​She specializes in offering Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and is a Certified EMDR therapist.
    Amy sees a variety of clients of all ages and backgrounds;
    ​However, she also works closely with elite and professional athletes. Amy specializes and is intensively trained in treating trauma, anxiety, depression,  adjustment issues, and substance addiction/recovery. 

    Archives

    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    Adolescents
    Anxiety
    Athlete
    Beaches
    Biology
    Coping
    Coping Skills
    Counseling
    Eating Disorders
    EMDR
    Family
    Grief
    Healing
    Insurance
    LCSW
    Loss
    Medical
    Medicine
    Mindfulness
    Parenting
    Ponte Vedra Beach
    PTSD
    Sports
    Sports Psychology
    Substance Abuse
    Therapist
    Therapy
    Trauma
    Trauma Recovery

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Services
  • FAQS
  • Appointment Request
  • Resources
  • Let's Connect
  • Blog