9
PERIPHERAL VISION
Vagus Nerve and Peripheral Vision
We are going to talk briefly about the Vagus Nerve and why it is
important to keep it calm. “Vagus” means “wanderer” and that is indeed
what this nerve is. Attached to the brain stem, it emerges through the
base of the skull, travels across the face, into the neck, then through the
chest, touching the heart and stomach, then to the abdomen, and stops
at the base of the spine (Balla, T., 2013).
The Vagus contains fibers that are both incoming to the central
nervous system (the majority) and outgoing from it. This nerve affects
heartbeat and blood pressure, constricts breathing, and stops the digestive system from working. When we are
stressed, the Vagus nerve fires to keep us safe. During Vagus activation the body may experience heart palpitations,
upset stomach, and bowel irregularities. Yet another part of the Vagus Nerve is the social engagement section that
calms us. The purpose of the Peripheral Vision exercise is to stimulate the social engagement section of the
Vagus Nerve and calm the stress response part (Porges, 2011).
It is quick and easy and can be used anytime you are experiencing worry or stress. Peripheral vision is paying attention
to what is happening at the edges of your field of vision. Look at this diagram in your journal to better understand.
Lead Peripheral Vision
Read the Peripheral Vision (2.a) instructions found in the Toolkit located in the pocket of this Instructor’s Manual.
Process Peripheral Vision
How was this experience? Were you able to keep your eyes focused on one point while also being able to see out of
the corners of your eyes? No matter what your first experience was, guess what can improve your ability to do this?
Yes, practice!
You can practice this skill almost any time you are feeling stress. You can do this technique any place and
time without drawing attention to yourself, such as right before a test, at a job interview, or while waiting in line at a
government office.
Near-Peripheral
Vision
Mid-Peripheral
Vision
Far-Peripheral
Vision
Near-Peripheral
Vision
Center of
Gaze
Mid-Peripheral
Vision
Far-Peripheral
Vision
Let’s GO!
PERIPHERAL VISION
Vagus Nerve and Peripheral Vision
We are going to talk briefly about the Vagus Nerve and why it is
important to keep it calm. “Vagus” means “wanderer” and that is indeed
what this nerve is. Attached to the brain stem, it emerges through the
base of the skull, travels across the face, into the neck, then through the
chest, touching the heart and stomach, then to the abdomen, and stops
at the base of the spine (Balla, T., 2013).
The Vagus contains fibers that are both incoming to the central
nervous system (the majority) and outgoing from it. This nerve affects
heartbeat and blood pressure, constricts breathing, and stops the digestive system from working. When we are
stressed, the Vagus nerve fires to keep us safe. During Vagus activation the body may experience heart palpitations,
upset stomach, and bowel irregularities. Yet another part of the Vagus Nerve is the social engagement section that
calms us. The purpose of the Peripheral Vision exercise is to stimulate the social engagement section of the
Vagus Nerve and calm the stress response part (Porges, 2011).
It is quick and easy and can be used anytime you are experiencing worry or stress. Peripheral vision is paying attention
to what is happening at the edges of your field of vision. Look at this diagram in your journal to better understand.
Lead Peripheral Vision
Read the Peripheral Vision (2.a) instructions found in the Toolkit located in the pocket of this Instructor’s Manual.
Process Peripheral Vision
How was this experience? Were you able to keep your eyes focused on one point while also being able to see out of
the corners of your eyes? No matter what your first experience was, guess what can improve your ability to do this?
Yes, practice!
You can practice this skill almost any time you are feeling stress. You can do this technique any place and
time without drawing attention to yourself, such as right before a test, at a job interview, or while waiting in line at a
government office.
Near-Peripheral
Vision
Mid-Peripheral
Vision
Far-Peripheral
Vision
Near-Peripheral
Vision
Center of
Gaze
Mid-Peripheral
Vision
Far-Peripheral
Vision
Let’s GO!
