It's Not Just a Splash of Water

Jane
6 days ago
4 min read

The Surprising Science Behind Cold Water and The Vagus Nerve

Lessons Right Before Our Eyes.

We've seen it before ... a character in a movie is overwhelmed, or they wake up sweating profusely from a bad dream, and they hurry to the sink to splash water on their face. It's in books too. A character needs a moment of desperate relief at the bathroom sink.

Did you know that a splash of water is not to just cool them down? There is actual science behind why this works. It activates our body's natural calm-down system. One day, while reading about the nervous system, I learned this about the splash of cold water on the face. I instantly thought about those movie scenes. For many years now, we've been unknowingly receiving lessons on nervous system regulation. Amazingly, what we need is what our planet already offers. Take for instance what grows seasonally. It isn't random. It is the Earth providing exactly what we need when we need it, from winter citrus boosting immunity during cold/flu season to summer melons keeping us hydrated in the heat.

The splashing of water on the face is called the "Mammalian Dive Reflex" or "dive reflex". What I thought was a cinematic add-in for the characters turns out to be grounded in real physiology.

What's Actually Happening During the Dive Reflex.

When cold water hits your face (particularly around your eyes, nose, and forehead), it triggers the mammalian dive reflex. Your body doesn't know you're just standing at a sink. It thinks you're diving into cold water and immediately initiates a survival protocol. Your heart rate slows down dramatically, reducing how much your heart muscles need. The vagus nerve shines in this process. It runs from your brainstem to your face, throat, chest, and stomach. The vagus nerve sends a signal to your brain: It's time to calm down. This is how a splash of cold water activates your body's natural calm-down system. It's direct communication to the part of your nervous system that's responsible for rest and recovery.

A Little More Information on The Nervous System.

Our nervous system has two main parts. There's the sympathetic nervous system ("fight or flight response) that activates when you're stressed, anxious, and when you don't feel safe. Then there's the parasympathetic nervous system, often called "rest and digest" mode. It slows your heart rate, deepens your breathing, and redirects blood flow to your digestive system and other non-emergency functions. It tells your body that the threat has passed, and it's safe to relax.

The vagus nerve is the main highway of your parasympathetic nervous system. When you splash cold water on your face, you're basically hitting the brakes on your stress response. Your heart rate decreases within seconds. The pattern of your breathing shifts. The overwhelming feeling of anxiety starts to subside ... not because you've calmed yourself down, but because you've activated a mechanism that does it for you.

Beyond the Movies.

Honestly, I initially wondered if every screenwriter actually know this, or if this is just a familiar film add-in? What we've been seeing in movies is actually used in clinical settings. It's great because it's so simple. You don't need special equipment. It doesn't require minutes of meditation (though those practices are very good as well). All you need is cold water and about thirty seconds.

Trying it Yourself.

*I am not a doctor. Talk to your doctor and feel free to do more research.

The water needs to be cold ... not cool and not warm. You want to get your whole face wet, especially the areas around your eyes and the bridge of your nose where those vagus nerve receptors are most concentrated. Hold the water there for a few seconds if you can. Or you may prefer to dunk your face in a bowl ... you can also cup your hands and splash repeatedly.

You may instantly feel a sense of your system downshifting, or it may take a minute. Either way, you'll notice your breathing naturally deepens, and your heartbeat settles into a steadier rhythm.

I tried it. I was curious. I filled up a bowl with cold water. I pulled my head up every time the water touched my forehead and nose. I don't think the best time to try is during a laugh attack. Lol!! I'll try the water cupped in my hand.

By the Way ... There Are Other Ways.

The splashing of water is just one way to stimulate the vagus nerve. Deep, slow breathing, humming, singing, and laughter activate it. Our bodies have multiple pathways to their own calm-down system; cold water just happens to be one of the most immediate.

A Different Perspective.

Next time I see or read a character splashing water on their face in a movie or book scene, I will view it differently. It's someone tuning into their body to reset. It's the screenwriter or novelist allowing the character to honor their nervous system, whether they know it or not.