What Happens in Vagus Stays in Vagus!

Did I strike a nerve? Yes! The Vagus Nerve, the largest nerve in our human body. What happens in our Vagus Nerve tract absolutely stays there with profound influence on the way we breathe, digest our food, and manage our various fears or anxieties. With this single nerve having pathways to every organ, it is helpful to know how to positively influence it for energy and emotion regulation.

Fight, Flight, or free yourself from the stress response.

Fight or Flight Response is important when we need to protect ourselves from danger.? As most know, this innate instinct used to be especially useful when our ancient environments were far riskier.? Most often, we are not at imminent risk and yet our brain automatically goes into fight or flight mode when we are triggered into a self-defensive headspace. The outcome is often regret in chosen or avoided words, actions, or inactions. With techniques that stimulate the Vagus Nerve we can free ourselves from this stress response.

Here are two exercises that you can do to release the pressure running through the Vagus Nerve pathway:

The Eyes Have It

Lie comfortably on your back and weave your hands together behind your head allowing your head to rest on them. Keep your head facing upward and without moving it, look to your right as far as you can without straining your eyes. Hold your gaze to the right for 30-60 seconds. You will most likely sigh or yawn.? This is the sign of a relaxed autonomic nervous system! Return your eyes to forward position. Now, do the same as above but looking toward the left.

Necking

Tension is often held in the neck and shoulder area. First, notice your neck mobility. Slowly turn your head side to side and pay attention to uncomfortable points or if your head can move in a fluid and pain-free manner.? Now, as long as you do not experience any pain when moving your head side to side, carefully give this exercise a go:

Sit or stand comfortably. Without turning your head, look toward the right. Gently tilt your head moving your ear down to your shoulder. Hold for up to a minute. Return your head slowly to the forward upright position.? Repeat to the left side.

There a many other ways to properly stimulate your Vagus Nerve but these two come with another benefit of giving yourself a few minutes of self-care at any point in your day!

Brain care is the most essential self-care as it's the foundation needed for all of the other wonderful things you do to have their best impact. Contact me to bring Brain Optimization to your teams. Message me here!

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