Our eyes play a powerful role in the nervous system. When we’re in fight-or-flight, our gaze narrows and strains forward — scanning for danger, preparing to escape. Over time, that tension pattern can linger in the body long after the threat is gone.

In this short somatic practice from my online course Safe in Your Skin: A Somatic Course for Overwhelmed Bodies, I guide you through:

• Softening your gaze to orient to safety

• Looking toward exits and horizons to restore choice

• Gentle eye movements to engage the vagus nerve

• Noticing without trying to “fix” anything

This practice supports the parasympathetic nervous system (rest & digest) and can help regulate heart rate, breathing, and overall tension. If you live with anxiety, chronic stress, or an overwhelmed nervous system, this is a simple place to begin.

No achieving. No performing. Just being with your body.