How Humming Can Actually Help You Manage Stress
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Time to read 5 min
It sounds almost too simple to be true.
But the act of humming—yes, humming—can be a powerful way to soothe your nervous system and quiet the mental noise of daily life.
It’s the kind of tool that gets overlooked because it seems… too easy. But when you look closer, the science and the lived experience both say the same thing: humming actually works.
So, how does something so simple have such a profound effect?
1. Humming activates the vagus nerve
The vagus nerve is one of the body’s main communication highways between the brain and internal organs. When stimulated, it signals the body to relax, slow the heart rate, and shift into a parasympathetic state—what’s often called “rest and digest.” Humming is a natural and accessible way to activate this calming response.
Over time, this simple practice can actually help strengthen your vagal tone, which has been linked to better emotional regulation, lower inflammation levels, and a more adaptive response to stress.
2. It brings you back to your breath
Stress often disrupts your natural breathing rhythm, making it shallow, fast, or irregular. But when you hum, your breath naturally slows and deepens. You extend your exhale without even thinking about it—encouraging diaphragmatic, or “belly,” breathing that helps calm your nervous system.
This slower breathing increases your heart rate variability (HRV), a key indicator of resilience and cardiovascular health. Just a few intentional hums can create a subtle but powerful physiological shift toward balance.
3. It helps drown out the noise in your head
Intrusive thoughts tend to spiral when your brain has nothing else to focus on. Humming creates a soft, steady sound that gently redirects your attention. Like a form of auditory grounding, it works much like white noise—except this time, the soothing sound is coming from within you.
And because humming creates subtle physical vibrations in your chest, throat, and sinuses, it not only occupies the mind—it anchors you in your body. That multi-sensory input helps break the loop of mental overactivity.
4. It gives your mind something to do
When you’re stressed, your mind often spins in idle loops. Humming offers a rhythmic, repetitive activity that gently engages your attention—just enough to shift you out of an anxious spiral, without feeling like another task on your list.
The repetition mimics other naturally calming behaviors—like rocking, swaying, or chanting—all of which have been used across cultures for centuries to soothe the body and regulate the mind.
5. It fosters mindfulness, effortlessly
You don’t need to sit cross-legged, open an app, or clear your schedule. Humming is an invitation to pause. To feel the vibration in your chest. To listen to your own voice. To notice your breath as it slows. It’s mindfulness in motion—simple, sensory, and entirely self-directed.
And the effects are measurable. In studies, even a few minutes of humming has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone. When you hum, you’re not just finding calm—you’re helping to restore balance from the inside out.
The best part? It’s always available.
You can hum while driving. In the shower. On a walk. Before a big meeting. It’s discreet, intuitive, and always within reach.
In a world full of overstimulation and constant demands, simple tools can be the most powerful. At Dragon Hemp, we believe effective care doesn’t have to be complicated—it just has to be considered.
So the next time stress creeps in, try this:
Just hum.
You might be surprised by how much it helps.
Complement humming with these stress-fighting essentials.
Our Story.
Dragon Hemp is the practitioner-founded apothecary that produces plant-based therapeutics formulated with a proprietary blend of next-generation botanicals and time honored herbal remedies.
For people seeking treatments that give relief & address the root cause.
Our herbal remedies are innovative and user-friendly, with wellness benefits that are effective & accessible to everyone.
So you can feel like yourself again.
Our Founder.
Kevin Menard, LAc., is the leading practitioner in Sports Medicine Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine on the East End of Long Island, with clientele ranging from business executives and fitness professionals to wellness gurus and weekend warriors.
As he cultivated his practice, Kevin began integrating CBD & other cannabinoids, native botanicals, and herbs into his treatments, addressing conditions like pain, musculoskeletal injuries, insomnia, overall wellness, and so much more.
Following the promising results from his herbal and CBD-infused treatments, Kevin expanded his work, introducing Dragon Hemp to support patient wellness beyond his clinic's walls.
Our Apothecary.
Our Apothecary in Sag Harbor, New York was conceived as a beacon of rejuvenation and wellness in the Hamptons. Much more than a dispensary, at the core of the Dragon Hemp Apothecary is a commitment to education and understanding the benefits of time-honored herbal remedies synthesized with today’s advancements in cannabinoid research.
Offering an array of products designed to align with the wellness needs of the Hamptons community, the store seeks to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern applications, making herbal medicine more compatible with our lifestyles today. Our unique apothecary in Sag Harbor not only represents a physical space but also embodies Dragon Hemp's ethos of premium, all-natural, effective wellness solutions, drawing from the rich heritage of the Hamptons and the innovative spirit of New York.
Not your conventional dispensary, our first-of-its-kind retail location, harmoniously balances tradition and innovation with an emphasis on experience and education. We invite you to step inside and let our herbal experts guide you on an exploration of the rejuvenating power of cannabinoids and traditional herbs in a setting that feels both timeless and contemporary.
Designed in collaboration with renowned Alfredo Paredes Studio, the apothecary embodies a sophisticated fusion of old-world tradition and contemporary application. Known for his 33-year tenure as Ralph Lauren Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Alfredo Paredes, a master of crafting memorable retail experiences, helped transform the space into a shining gem of Sag Harbor. Reflecting the premium, natural, and therapeutic essence of Dragon Hemp, every aspect of the store, including the unique furniture pieces from Paredes' line, contributes to an ambiance of refined tranquility and wellness. The design echoes a classic herbal pharmacy blended with a modern aesthetic, mirroring our brand ethos of contemporizing ancient herbal medicine for today’s applications. Read more about our Apothecary design in Forbes.
Standing out on Main Street in Sag Harbor with the glow of our distinctive neon sign, our unique retail store has become a design destination of its own -- beyond just wellness -- in one of the Hamptons’ most popular villages. Whether you’re looking for potent natural therapeutics to tackle pain & inflammation or legal THC products to enhance mood or improve sleep, our apothecary is your safe haven at 108 Main Street.
Our Products.
Our products are formulated to serve the four crucial daily needs most often seen in Kevin’s practice—Essential Wellbeing for comprehensive health, Rest & Restoration to foster rejuvenation, Aches & Pains for relief from discomfort, and Liniments for body care that enhances both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Available in four versatile forms—swift-absorbing tinctures, targeted balms, discreet gummies, and moisturizers—we ensure a suitable choice for every lifestyle and wellness routine.
Our Ingredients.
We carefully select our organically grown ingredients, emphasizing sustainability to protect Earth's biodiversity.
We believe in transparency in all our processes, from ingredient selection to the methods used by our CBD farmers, who lead the sustainable agriculture charge and concentrate on ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration.
We're not just about products but about nurturing an understanding of traditional herbal practices and helping people make healthy decisions.
With respect, we introduce newcomers to the benefits of age old herbal wisdom.
Our aim is a future where well-being stems from nature, combining timeless knowledge with today's research.
Discover the distinctive characteristics of each herb in our Ingredient Index.
