Slow Breathing Isn’t Woo

It’s a Remote Control for the Nervous System.

Let me guess: you’ve tried to “calm down” by thinking harder. 🤗

That’s like trying to fix a glitchy laptop by whispering affirmations at it.

Sometimes, the fastest way in is through the body.

The science: slow breathing and your “calm circuitry”

Research reviews consistently find that slow-paced breathing can nudge your nervous system toward regulation—often measured through heart rate variability (HRV), which is basically a sign of flexibility, not perfection.

Translation: you’re not trying to become a monk.

You’re trying to become less hijackable.

Where pain bodies hate this (and why that’s good)

Pain bodies thrive on speed:

• quick assumptions

• quick anger

• quick shutdown

• quick “I’m fine” (while your jaw is doing concrete impressions)

Slow breathing interrupts the speed loop.

Tiny practice: the “5–5–7 Reset”

Do this once. Yes—once counts.

• Inhale through nose: 5 seconds

• Hold gently: 5 seconds

• Exhale slowly: 7 seconds
  Repeat 3 rounds.

If the exhale feels hard, shorten it. The goal is ease, not oxygen Olympics.

Gentle close

This is one of my favorite Logical Too moments:

You don’t need a perfect mindset to start regulating.
You just need one breath that tells your system: “Not a threat.”