Why This Works

Slow, deep exhalations stimulate your vagus nerve, and signal to your nervous system that you are safe and it's okay to calm down. 

Deep breathing also reactivates the thinking part of your brain (the prefrontal cortex) which helps you make good decisions. When you're really stressed out, the prefrontal cortex shuts down, which makes impulse control and good decision making almost impossible. This is why our Wiggle Warrior® tools encourage kids to wiggle and breathe to reset their nervous system before they make a choice on what to do or say.