Beyond Breathing: 5 Ways to Calm Your Nervous System

I’m writing this from a new season of life. I’m on maternity leave, moving through slower (yet intense!) days and new rhythms. 

I'm enjoying so many special, cozy, and joyful moments with baby Theo. At times though, caring for our newborn can also be stressful and overwhelming. Sleep deprivation is no joke. 😅

This time has reminded me how much I value simple and accessible body-based ways to support my nervous system. 

Of course, there's deep breathing. You've probably heard about that many times before. And it really does work! Deep breathing is maybe the most accessible and powerful practice we have when it comes to calming our nervous system. 

Lately though, I’ve also been leaning into a few other practices that feel just as supportive. 

So in this blog post, I wanted to share five underrated ways to calm your nervous system beyond breathing. None of them are complicated. They’re simple practices that help the body feel safer and more grounded. 

🎶 1. Humming or gentle singing

Humming is one of the quickest ways to settle the nervous system. The vibration, the steady sound, and the natural slowing of the breath all help your body shift into a calmer state. I often use this when my thoughts feel a bit fast. Singing and humming really helps me calm down, and I notice it helps me calm my baby down too.

👀 2. Sensory grounding

Bring your attention to what you can see, hear, smell, feel, or taste. This simple mindfulness practice gently pulls you out of your head and back into the present moment. This technique really helps me in stressful situations. 

🤍 3. Soothing touch

Placing a hand on your chest or belly, or giving yourself a gentle hug, can be deeply regulating. Warmth and steady pressure help your system calm down. Notice your breath under your hand, and let your body soften a little.

🌿 4. Rocking movements

Rocking is a deeply human soothing mechanism. It’s something we instinctively do when we comfort babies or small children, and it works for adults too. A gentle sway or rhythmic movement can be surprisingly calming.

💛 5. Connecting with others

Connection regulates us. Receiving support helps, and offering it to others can be just as grounding. A message, a check-in, or a small act of kindness can shift your state more than we often realize.

✨ A little nuance

These practices are great for calming your nervous system in the moment. But they’re not meant to help you push through or ignore what’s real. Sometimes stress and overwhelm is important information. It can be a sign that something needs care, space, change, or boundaries. 

Grounding yourself first can help you listen more clearly so that you can respond from a steadier place.

What do you think? I’d love to hear what you discover! My email inbox and Instagram DMs are open, as always.

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