The Vagus Nerve plays a major role in the Autonomic Nervous System. The Autonomic Nervous System has 2 parts: The Sympathetic Nervous System and the Parasympathetic Nervous System .
The Autonomic Nervous System regulates bodily functions such as heartrate , blood pressure, pupil dilation , heat, sweating and digestion. In quick response the body is flooded with a rush of hormones, sending extra blood to the muscles and the heart rate quickens, you become more alert and extra oxygen flows to the brain so your are hype- alert and infusion of glucose pours into the bloodstream for extra energy boost. All to keep you safe from clear and present danger.
The Sympathetic Nervous System is where the fight-or-flight response happens. In extreme danger the body reacts and readies itself to either fight-or-flee to keep us safe from danger. This proved useful when our ancient ancestors needed protection from real dangers, however now in our fast paced modern world the Sympathetic Nervous System functions in hyper-drive and constant stimulation and high stressed living leaves us in constant state of high alert and anxiety.
This is an involuntary process without conscious direction.
However, as useful as the Sympathetic Nervous System is in responding quickly to danger it is completely useless when the danger has passed. It is the Parasympathetic Nervous System which works to counter the stress response and calm the body down. The Parasympathetic Nervous System gives the opportunity for the body to rest-and-digest. It brings the heart rate down and returns the body to normal functioning or homeostasis.
The Vagus Nerve has a special role in the Parasympathetic Nervous System. It senses our breathing rate and adjusts the heart rate in response. So when we breath slowly the heart rate adjusts and we feel relaxed . Conversely we breath quickly a stress response is initiated.
So when considering anxiety and the bodies reactions to repeated stress, we can begin to consciously practise Vagal Breathing where we use deliberate slow diaphragmatic breathing and exhaling slowly to stimulate the Vagus Nerve and activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System.
This is why meditation, is is often suggested to reduce stress in our busy lives today.
Working with goal balance in Kinesiology here are a list of common goals I would use to help people relax and find you’re calm centred self.
- I release anxiety and self doubt and embrace peace.
- I release the feeling of being overwhelmed and make decisions that help me to feel calm and secure.
- I release the feeling of being overwhelmed and make decisions that help me to feel calm and secure.
- Every cell in my body is relaxed and I am able to feel deeply secure and worthy.
- I am calm and focused.
