Your eyes are key to reducing stress.

You’ve heard of tunnel vision.

This is when your eyes respond to stress by narrowing focus and limiting distractions. It occurs when you perceive a threat.

This can be a near accident or a looming deadline.

You’re left feeling anxious, angry, distracted, tense, and in pain.

Modern life creates triggers and leaves little time for recovery.

Chronic stress and/or trauma will generate subconscious responses that require conscious reprogramming. Patterns develop as a response to preserve energy usage and avoid repeating pain.

It is essential to reprogram your eyes to reduce your stress response and promote healing.

Neuro Exercises

 Task Switching Chart

Instructions:

1. Position your chart at eye level.

2. Identify the shapes and assign a movement to them. For example, apple = left fingers snap, squirrel = two hands clap, acorn = right fingers snap. (Can’t snap your fingers? That’s okay! You are welcome to use these movements or get creative and come up with your own. I do recommend something that is not too complex.)

3. Do a runthrough of the first line. Using the movements above, it would look like this: left snap, clap, right snap, right snap, left snap, clap, clap, left snap.

4. Your goal is to get through as many of the shapes as you can making as few mistakes as you can before the timer goes off.

5. If you make a mistake, keep moving. (If you prefer to correct it, that’s okay, too. No one is watching you!)

6. Set a timer for 30 seconds. (Optional: take a breath.) Start the timer. Then follow the chart just like you’re reading a page; left to right, top to bottom.

That’s it!

• This chart is about speed and accuracy. If you’re making a lot of mistakes, slow down. If you’re not missing anything, speed it up.

• The main thing is to have fun! I know people say that all the time, but I really, really mean that. I included the optional breath after setting the timer because many of my clients get very serious at this point and are ready to perform to perfection. I relate to that so much!! I use this chart every time I notice myself getting too serious about something. If you’re feeling frustrated or being a bit hard on yourself, it’s a sure sign that your nervous system is overstimulated. If you’re not smiling or laughing when you’re done, please send me a note so I can offer some ideas for what you can adjust.

• I suggest doing this chart once per day. If you really enjoy it, you can do it two or three times in a row. I like to pause after completion, reset the timer, taek a breath, then start again for the second and third rounds.

Neuro Exercises for Nervous System Regulation

Stress focuses your eyes in tunnel vision. This puts your brain in a fight or flight response.

In this video, you’ll learn about the three body systems used to balance your body and mind. Practice the exercises demonstrated to regulate your nervous system and leave you feeling centered and playful.