The Pressure Release Valve

A 2-minute practice to discharge built-up tension and relieve systemic pressure.

Use this when you feel: Tense, tight, angry, braced, clenched, or

like you're about to boil over.

How to Use This Practice:

This is your emergency pressure valve for tension. Use it at your desk, in your car, or anytime you notice pressure building in your system.

The Pattern:

Inhale naturally through your nose.
Exhale with a deliberate, sighing release through your mouth.
Release muscular tension (especially jaw, shoulders, hands).

Why It Works:

A long, releasing exhale stimulates the vagus nerve—your main relaxation pathway. The physical "letting go" acts like opening a pressure valve, preventing systemic overload and relieving accumulated stress.

Transcript:

"This is the Pressure Valve Release—a 90-second practice to discharge built-up tension. Use it when you feel pressure accumulating in your system.

To help your body release, try this: gently raise your shoulders toward your ears... and as you exhale, let them completely drop, like you're opening a pressure valve.

Let's try it together.
Breathe in, and as you do, you can gently shrug your shoulders up...
Now, as you let the breath out with a sigh, let your shoulders fall completely... opening the valve.
Notice that release in your neck and shoulders.

Let's do three more.
Breathe in... and sigh it out, opening the valve completely...
Again. Breathe in... and release the pressure...
One last time. Breathe in... and let it all go.

Excellent. You've just shown your body how to discharge pressure. This valve is always available to you."

Ready for More? Explore Related Tools:

For Deep Release: Learn about Constructive Rest for the Psoas.
Get the Full Kit: Discover The Somatic Duo for physical pressure-release tools.