Welcome!
Wishing you peaceful rhythms as you create your own 'Personal Signature Tempo of Calm'.
A society that espouses Health and Well-Being is a society that embraces the power of the Human Spirit.
God bless and enjoy these Health Hints.
Wishing you a healthy, happy 2021.
Dr. Val Scaramella-Nowinski,
Neurophysiological Neuropsychology
12 Brain Nerves Made Simple and 12 Health Hints of Calm
The 12 Cranial Nerves are a powerhouse of nerves that emerge directly from the brain. These nerves relay information between the brain and body, primarily to-and-from head/neck areas, and help regulate vision, taste, smell, hearing and movement.
You have the power to turn these Nerves on and help to regulate your Brain-Body sensory experiences and movement from head- to-toe.
Enjoy these
12 Health Hints that turn on your ‘Personal Tempo of Calm’. They are fun and easy to do! You can teach your children too!
- I. Olfactory Nerve
- Take time to smell an aroma of something that you very much enjoy (ie. cup of hot chocolate, favorite food/dessert)
- II. Optic Nerve
- Sit back, relax and look at a colorful work of art
- Enjoy lighter/muted hues (ie. glitter of shimmering snow, the moonlight)
- III. Oculomotor Nerve (Pupil Size)
- Gaze toward a bright scene (ie. Holiday lights); take a deep breath, exhale slowly as you take in the beauty
- Now, turn away from the light and gaze toward a darker surrounding
- You can go back and forth between bright and dark, breathing in/out slowly.
- Feel your eyes moving slowly, relax and enjoy a sense of calm
- IV. Trochlear Nerve (up/down gaze)
- Gaze "up and down" at the beauty of an artwork you love
- V. Trigeminal Nerve
- Sit comfortably, take a slow deep breath and calm your forehead, eyelids, face, chin; relax your jaw, middle of face, cheeks, nose; wet lower lip, wet upper lip; enjoy calm sensations throughout your face
- VI. Abducens Nerve (outward gaze)
- Look outward toward a scene at a distance (ie. snow covered trees, sunrise, sunset, stars) and take in the beauty
- VII. Facial Nerve
- Sit in a comfortable position; plug your ears with your fingers
- Breathe in/out slowly and listen to the sounds of your breathing; Hum gently and slowly, listen and feel vibrations of sounds in your body
- Slowly open/close eyelids; think about something you enjoy eating that makes you salivate just by thinking of it
- Feel gentle vibrations spread through your head, forehead, ears, nose, cheeks, mouth, jaw…and a smile comes over your face.
- VIII. Vestibulocochlear Nerve
- Listen to music-sounds that vibrate within you that bring you a sense of peace and joy
- Dance with gentle movements, rotate your body and feel full-body sensation, a sense of equilibrium/balance from head-to-toe
- IX. Glossopharyngeal Nerve
- Breathe slowly in/out and swallow slowly
- Take a bite of something you enjoy eating; savor it before swallowing; swallow slowly and enjoy the calm and delight
- X. Vagus Nerve
- Hum, dance, sing and sway slowly with a rhythm that vibrates gently through your body
- Feel your heart beating with pleasure, relaxed breathing---your entire body feeling balance and calm from head-to-toe
- XI. Accessory Nerve
- Take a deep breath, exhale slowly while you stretch your neck and shoulders forward, back, side-to-side, even circular motion
- Rotate your head with a sway that brings you a sense of relaxation from head-to-toe, a sense of increasing balance throughout the body
- XII. Hypoglossal Nerve
- Think of something that makes you salivate (ie: a Hershey’s Chocolate Kiss candy), or eat something you enjoy
- Relax your face as you taste it with the front of your tongue
- Feel your tongue move, rotating throughout your mouth
- Enjoy as taste gives you sensations of pleasure, smile and enjoy
The Pediatric Neuropsychology Diagnostic and Treatment Center creates a very comfortable environment for the children and their families. For greater that 35 years, our practice has offered interdisciplinary science based evaluation and treatment services at one specialty center. We are committed to Children, their Health, Development and Learning and promoting their potential and success at home, school and beyond. Your children’s growth and development are evidence of the power of human potential!
Warmly,
Dr. Val Scaramella-Nowinski
Pediatric Neuropsychology
Founder and Director: Biosketch
