Where is your Vagus Nerve?
Don’t look down there . . .
The vagus nerve does more than just keep our bodies ticking. It’s also a key player in helping our bodies heal and get back in sync.
There’s this super cool nerve called the vagus (pronounced like VEGAS) nerve that’s the longest of all the cranial nerves. It starts in the brainstem and then goes on a wild adventure through your body, touching all sorts of organs.
The vagus nerve is the boss of our body’s healing and relaxation processes. It’s involved in everything from keeping our heart beating and digesting food to helping our bodies fight off infections and managing our emotions. When it comes to calming down and feeling more relaxed, the vagus nerve is like a magic wand.
Here’s the deal with the vagus nerve: it’s this super-important nerve that has a huge impact on how we feel. It’s like this cool bridge between our brain and the rest of our body, and it lets them talk to each other. When life gets stressful, the vagus nerve helps us chill out and stay calm. It’s like the nerve version of a stress ball!
So, here’s the deal: we’ve got this vagus nerve, which is a superpower for our body. When we kick back and chillax, or take some time to meditate, we’re giving this nerve a boost. This can be a real game-changer when it comes to dealing with long-term stress, anxiety, and even trauma. It’s like giving your body a spa day from the inside out. You’ll feel calmer, more balanced, and all-around better.
The vagus nerve is part of your parasympathetic nervous system, which is in partnership to help control mood, digestion, heart rate, and immune response. When you do things like mindful breathing, it turns on this nerve and makes your vagal tone stronger. This means you’re better at handling your feelings and bouncing back from tough times. Exercises like meditation, breathing exercises, humming or chanting, yoga, somatic movement, massages, and even smiling or laughing can all help improve your vagal tone.
Here’s a simple breathing exercise you can try: Take a nice, deep breath in through your nose for four seconds, hold it for two, and then let it out slowly through your mouth for six. To give your vagus nerve an extra boost, try humming a soft sound, smiling, or chanting “OM” while you exhale. Repeat as many times as you like. You’ll be amazed at how this simple breathing exercise can help your body heal and thrive!
Peace & Harmony, Cheryl
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