The Surprising Connections Between Your Eyes and Your Nervous System
The Surprising Connections Between Your Eyes and Your Nervous System
By Abby Lord
When you think about your eyes, you probably picture them as the windows to the world, letting in colors, shapes, and light. But what if I told you they’re also a powerful gateway to your nervous system? Yep, your eyes are doing so much more than just helping you scroll TikTok or spot your next cup of coffee—they’re actually influencing how you feel, how you move, and even how your body heals.
As someone who loves diving into the mind-body connection (and gets *very* excited about how everything is linked), I’m here to share how your eyes are a direct line to your nervous system and why this matters, especially if you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, or chronic tension.
Your Eyes: A Built-In Nervous System Super Tool
Your eyes are a direct extension of your brain—literally. The optic nerve connects your eyes to the brain's visual processing centers, and this pathway is closely tied to the autonomic nervous system, which controls everything from your heartbeat to your digestion.
Ever notice how your pupils dilate when you’re scared or shrink when you’re relaxed? That’s your autonomic nervous system in action. But it doesn’t stop there—your eyes *actively influence* whether you’re in fight-or-flight (sympathetic nervous system) or rest-and-digest (parasympathetic nervous system) mode.
How Your Vision Impacts Your Nervous System
1. Peripheral Vision Calms the Brain
When you’re locked into a stressed, hyper-focused state, your field of vision tends to narrow. This is part of your body’s natural survival mechanism—it’s scanning for threats.
But when you consciously soften your gaze and take in your peripheral vision, something magical happens. Your nervous system shifts out of fight-or-flight and into a calmer, more regulated state. It’s like telling your brain, “Hey, we’re safe now.”
*Try this:* Look straight ahead, but without moving your eyes, notice what’s happening in your side vision. Feel your body soften as you do this—it’s subtle but powerful.
2. Eye Movements and Emotional Regulation
If you’ve ever heard of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, you know the power of eye movements in processing emotions and trauma. By moving your eyes side to side, you’re engaging both hemispheres of your brain, helping to “unstick” difficult emotions.
You don’t need a therapist to tap into this, though. Simply looking left and right (while keeping your head still) can help regulate your emotions during stressful moments.
3. The Power of Natural Light
Your eyes are the entry point for light, which impacts your circadian rhythm—the system that controls your sleep-wake cycle. Bright natural light in the morning sends a message to your nervous system: “Wake up, energize, and get ready for the day!”
Conversely, dim light or the absence of blue light at night signals, “It’s time to wind down.” This interplay is a vital part of keeping your nervous system balanced.
Why This Matters for Stress, Healing, and Well-Being
When we work with our eyes intentionally, we’re tapping into a shortcut for nervous system regulation. Whether it’s using soft peripheral vision to relax or taking a moment to watch the sunrise for that light hit, these small, eye-centered practices can have big ripple effects on our health.
For women managing stress or navigating challenges like pelvic floor dysfunction (hello, fellow breathwork nerds!), regulating your nervous system is a key piece of the puzzle. The eyes are an often-overlooked tool that can complement other practices like mindful breathing or gentle movement.
The eyes also communicate whether you are safe to defecate or not - you don’t want the sudden urge to poo when you have just spotted a tiger! The eyes send a message to the onuf’s nucleus to give you the all clear. So softening your gaze will help this to activate on and off at the right times.
Let’s Bring It All Together
Your eyes are more than just a sense organ—they’re a communication hub for your body and brain. So, the next time you’re feeling frazzled or overwhelmed, try one of these small shifts:
- Soften your gaze and notice your surroundings.
- Move your eyes side to side to release tension.
- Step outside into natural light to reset your rhythm.
These practices take just seconds, but they can help you find your way back to balance.
What’s your favorite way to reset your system? I’d love to hear how you connect your eyes to your well-being!
Stay curious,
Abby 💕
