Many people are not even aware they have a vagus nerve, let alone fully appreciating its role in helping counteract the negative health impact of an overactive sympathetic nervous system (that hyper vigilant fight-or-flight response). Simply put, vagus nerve stimulation calms you down.
Unless you’re a yoga master, you cannot directly and consciously stimulate your vagus nerve. But in addition to long-term practice of yoga and meditation, here are some simple tools you can use to indirectly stimulate your vagus nerve:
1. Diaphragmatic breathing. Simply put, belly breathing. Place your hands lightly on your belly, signaling to your body, “Breathe all the way down here.” Breathe deeply, so that your abdomen rises on the inhalation, and falls on the exhalation. Ten minutes, twice per day, will allow your breath to systematically slow and deepen.
2. Studies show that cold water facial immersion stimulates the vagus nerve. The area behind the eyeballs is a particularly accessible zone for stimulation. An easy way to do this is to use an icy gel mask. Again, ten minutes, twice daily seems to be a good formula for improved benefits. (See https://scs-matters.com/chilling-way-calm/)
3. Another simple technique is to quiet yourself and imagine that you are sucking on a juicy lemon drop, bathing your tongue in saliva. If that does not work for you, fill your mouth with warm water and hold it for a few mintues, as you allow yourself to begin to relax. Do this twice per day.
This week, pay attention to the state of your being. Being aware of and stimulating your vagus nerve just makes good sense!
Tips from 5 April 2010 to 6 August 2012 are here: Archived Tips
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Rev. Debra Basham
Voice or text: (269) 921-2217 Email: debra@scs-matters.com http://DebraBasham.com http://ImagineHealing.info http://SurgicalSupport.info Small Changes … Infinite Results™
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” ~ Mother Teresa |