Short video by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes proposing bubble gum as a portable multi-sensory tool for stress relief. She describes how taste, smell, and the actions of chewing and blowing bubbles can ground attention, stimulate the vagus nerve, and elicit a relaxation response, with flavor associations (spearmint, peppermint, grape) linked to calming memories.
Hey there everybody. Did you ever think about bubble gum as a multi sensory tool for stress relief? It's something most people can keep with them and use just about anywhere. The smell and the taste of bubble gum can help you relax. Now, flavors like spearmint and peppermint are associated with relaxation, but some people will go for the tried and true, like grape, which will bring back feelings of peace and contentment from days gone by. Blowing bubbles also requires focusing on chewing until it's flexible enough to blow the bubble, then stretching the gum out with your tongue so you can blow a bubble that won't pop, taking a slow deep breath and exhaling in order to blow the bubble and again not pop it, and watching the bubble as you blow it to see how big you can get it. Or maybe that's just me. All of these add to the grounding effects and help trigger the vagus nerve and the relaxation response.
