If you read last week's blog about breathing and found it useful, you're probably looking for some other ways to reduce your stress levels.

So, today, I've got some quick and easy physical ways you can activate your body's built-in “off switch” for stress.

This switch is called the parasympathetic nervous system—a fancy name for the part of your brain that tells your body, “It’s OK, we're safe, everything's fine, we can chill”

So without further ado, here are my top easy, silly and fun ways to flip your nervous system into “rest and restore” mode.

1. Shake it out (literally)

(Feel free to have a little sing if that's kicked you off with an earworm as that'll help too - see number 3)

Ever noticed how dogs shake themselves off after something stressful?

They’re not just being cute—it’s a nervous system reset. 

Try this: stand up, shake out your arms and legs for 30 seconds, and notice how much looser you feel. 

Silly? Yes. Effective? Abso-bloody-lutely. Can you do it at work? Sure, why not!

2. Get cold (but not too cold)

A splash of cold water on your face or even sticking your hands under cold running water can activate the vagus nerve (which controls the parasympathetic system). 

Bonus points if you take the last 10 seconds of your shower on cold. 

I've been reading some interesting stuff about ice baths and cold water for women recently.

The research indicates that for women, the best water temperature is around 15-16C. We don't need to go for the full ice-bath freeze.

3. Hum, sing, or gargle

Yes, really. Your vagus nerve runs through your throat, and humming, singing, or gargling stimulates it. 

Go full carpool-karaoke sitting in the traffic; or hum while you make your tea —it all counts.

Might it creep other people out if you hum tunelessly, while wandering around the office? Yeah... 😁

Want to do it at the same time as shaking yourself off? Go for it!

4. Move your body, gently

Big, high-intensity workouts are great, but gentle movement (like Pilates 😉) is often what your nervous system needs to relax. 

Stretching, walking, or slow, controlled exercises signal to your brain that you’re safe—which means it can stop flooding you with stress hormones.

5. Make an extra long exhale

Breathe in for four seconds. Hold for two. Now breathe out slooooowly for eight seconds. 

Longer exhales signal safety to your nervous system, and the best part? You can do this anywhere.

The TL;DR:

Your body already has everything it needs to calm down and feel better. Sometimes, it just needs a little nudge in the right direction.

If you want to build some of these stress-busting habits into your life (instead of just reading about them), come join a class. 

We’ll breathe, move, stretch, and actually enjoy the process. Sound good?

👉 Join the Pilates Priority Wait List and be first to hear when spaces open up

If you'd like to learn more about how our thoughts impact our stress levels, check out this blog.