Experiencing anxiety or stress, check out this video:
A little bit of science behind this stress management skill: The vagus nerve wanders throughout the body from the brain to the gut and is responsible for communication between the brain and many other vital organs (Gould, 2019). While attending a workshop with Robin Shapiro (2020), she shared that one of the reasons it is believed that this movement is helpful is because it follows part of the path of the vagus nerve. It is believed that this action can stimulate a relaxation response in the body. Try it out and see what you notice. Keep in mind that practicing before you actually may need to use a coping skill improves the impact of the coping skill because you are creating, building and strengthening neural networks in the brain each time you practice. Symptoms of panic attacks can resemble symptoms of heart attacks. You should consult with your medical physician or other medical specialist to assess your condition and rule out any medical causes prior to thinking your symptoms are due to anxiety.
Gould, Katherine. “The Vagus Nerve: Your Body’s Communication Superhighway.” Livescience.com. Future US, Inc. 12 Nov, 2019. Web. 23 Apr. 2020.
Shapiro, Robin. “The EMDR Mixed Bag.” Inspired Therapy. Live Webinar. 27 March, 2020. Lecture.