Have you ever heard of the Vagus Nerve? It's a major player in the way our bodies manage stress, mood, and inflammation. In fact, it's the longest cranial nerve that runs from our gut, heart, and brain, and it's responsible for keeping our parasympathetic nervous system in check - the part of our nervous system that helps us relax, rest, and digest.
But what happens when our Vagus Nerve isn't working properly? It turns out that research has linked poor Vagal tone to anxiety, depression, inflammation, and digestive issues. Fortunately, there are simple and natural ways to stimulate this powerful nerve at home, which can have a positive impact on our overall health and well-being.
Tip #1 - Cold exposure
Try washing your face with cold water in the morning or ending your showers with a couple of minutes of cold water. This adjusts the activity in our sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response) to decrease and allows our parasympathetic system to grow stronger.
Tip #2 - Breathing
Take a deep belly breath, hold it for a few seconds, and release. Repeat this exercise a few times to stimulate the Vagus Nerve and release tension.
Tip #3 - Laughter
The Vagus Nerve runs through our voice box, so laughing and creating vibrations can activate the nerve.
Tip #4 - Yoga
The movement and breathing practices of yoga have been shown to increase GABA levels, which can stimulate Vagal tone.
By taking care of our Vagus Nerve, we can naturally reduce anxiety, negative moods, and stress. Give these techniques a try and see how your body responds
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