Have you ever noticed that people rarely hum when they're overwhelmed? We hum while cooking, gardening, folding laundry or walking the dog. Most of us have heard that humming stimulates the vagus nerve, but the science may be even more interesting than that. Every time we hum, we change the way we breathe, shift our attention inward and provide the brain with a different pattern of sensory information. Could that be one reason it feels so calming?

Have you ever felt like you're simply bad at relaxing? You may not be. For an overwhelmed nervous system, slowing down can initially feel uncomfortable because your brain suddenly becomes more aware of sensations and thoughts it has been filtering out. Discover five evidence-informed techniques that work with your nervous system—not against it—and learn the science behind why they help.