VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION

The vagus nerve, the longest nerve in your body, is also known as a secret weapon that can be used to treat stress, sleep, anxiety, and depression. When you stimulate this nerve, your parasympathetic nervous system is activated, allowing your body and mind both to begin to relax. The vagus nerve can influence your breathing, heart rate, and digestive function. This one nerve has a powerful effect on a lot of your daily functions.

There are specific activities that you can practice to stimulate this nerve. Below are some of the more common stimulation exercises:
 
1.      Gargling
2.     Singing
3.     Laughing
4.     Inhaling for longer than you are exhaling and breathing deeply from your stomach
5.     Foot massages
6.     Being exposed to the cold through cold showers or cold temperatures outside
7.     Meditating
8.     Exercising
9.     Eating fiber
10.   Chanting
 
When you stimulate this nerve, your body will relax, and you will experience a sense of calm. Additionally, this will allow for a reduction of stress and enable more of a restful sleep. The power of the vagus nerve is not known by everyone, but the hope is that as more people learn about its benefits, the more we will see an improvement in overall mental health.