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Serving Queen Anne & Magnolia Since 1919 www.QueenAnneNews.com
AUGUST 6, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 32
Snap out of it: Reset your nervous system now
& S QueenAnne&Magnolia news QueenAnne Erica Browne Grivas
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Magnolia news
“
nap out of it!” yells Cher in “Moonstruck” when Nicholas Cage says he loves her. Even though she slapped him — twice — it had little effect, to the delight of movie fans and romantics. Come to think of it, does that ever work when someone tells us to “Just relax,” or “Snap out of it?” Rarely, in my experience. My guess is this is because we likely resent being told what to do — especially when we’re feeling overwhelmed. But what if the message came from us ? When our sympathetic nervous system is being triggered, it’s very important to stop that train before it begins gathering steam – affecting our emotions, our body, our day, and eventually, our health. The good news: there are some clever but simple tricks we can do to short-circuit that response. London-based hypnotherapist Adam Cumberland offers several. Most of these involve tricking the brain or stimulating the vagus nerve, which work in tandem to regulate the nervous system between sympathetic (fight/ flight) and parasympathetic
ADOBE STOCK
(rest/digest) to get you back on track. Our goal is to get out of our heads, derail spiraling thoughts, and reconnect with our bodies to reset and gain a new perspective. They are:
THE COLD SNAP Hold something cold (your water bottle or an ice pack) in your palm for 10 seconds. This works to shift attention from racing thoughts to the body, so your brain is thinking, “Why the heck is my hand
so cold?” Others have suggested plunging your hand in ice cubes, taking a cold shower, or splashing your face with very cold water. The Gaze Break. Feeling stuck in a situation? Raise your eyes to the ceiling for five seconds or more. In
times of stress, our eyes become hyper focused locally, getting tunnel vision. Looking upward tells our body we must be ok, because we can look up. Hypnotists often
GRIVAS, 3
Get on board for Magnolia's Summerfest Parade By Julie Bennett Contributing Writer
COURTESY JULIE BENNETT
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
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SEATTLE, WA PERMIT 1271
A Magnolia tradition continued during the Magnolia Summerfest Parade on Aug. 3. The community really turned out for the event — one of the biggest crowds in years. Volunteers from the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce and the Magnolia Beautification Committee showed up in full force, playing with kids and waving as the parade made its way through the neighborhood. They even handed out 600 beach balls, which were a highlight for the crowd.
The floats featured winners of this year’s Best of Magnolia Awards of the Year — including Cheryl McQuiston and the Magnolia Garden Center—riding in style in a speed boat and a sweet red vintage Impala. There were loud booms from the famous (or infamous!) Seafair Pirates, and everything from horses to dump trucks rolled through the Village. “What an amazing tradition we have. I love how our community shows up and celebrates together,”
McQuiston said. The Chamber’s theme this year was “Get On Board,” in the hopes of welcoming more neighbors into the village area. They would like as many residents as possible to stay in the loop, support local events, and help keep the heart of Magnolia thriving. A family or business membership is a simple way to support the organization that brings so many of our favorite events to life right here in the neighborhood. More info at https://discovermagnolia.org/