Feeling low or anxious? Feeling like your digestion is just not functioning well? Constipated? Bloated? Part of the reason could be your vagus nerve isn't functioning the way it should.

What's the vagus nerve?
Its the longest nerve in the body and runs from your digestive system, connects to your liver and lungs, and goes all the way to your brain. It forms a big part of the "gut/brain" connection that we hear about so often. It is such an important communication channel, but we rarely hear about it. The vagus nerve is important for our inflammatory response, heart rate and blood pressure, the rate we breath, how fast or slow our digestion is working and the pace at which we get hungry or full. it is also important for mood and mental health - including how our body deals with stress. In short - it is a key driver for moving our body away from fight/flight and into rest and digest.

What symptoms might I experience that indicate my vagus nerve needs help?

Improving your vagal nerve tone can give you a head start in improving symptoms like low mood/depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, inflammation, constipation, bloating, reflux, nausea and loss of appetite. It can also be related to sudden drops in blood pressure causing fainting.

Improving the tone can give improve your digestion, reduce inflammation, equip you to better deal with stress and give a greater sense of overall wellbeing and emotional stability.

How can I improve how my vagus nerve functions?

Activities such as deep breathing exercises, eating mindfully, gargling and moderate exercise all help.
You can also try humming or singing, ensuring your diet includes plenty of bitter foods such as rocket,dill, kale and dandelion greens as well as essential fats from nuts and seeds, avocado and oily fish, and cold exposure (switching the shower to cold for the last couple of minutes, or even ice baths!).

And so does TENS stimulation on vagal nerve points. The easiest point to access is inside the trochlear - the little point at the front of the ear (see the second photo). Massaging or activating this point for 20-30 minutes 3-5 times per week has been shown to improve digestive and mental health.

Want to know more? Book in for a free 20 minute Health Reset to see how naturopathic support can help you with your digestion, mood and hormonal health. Or download my free guide to creating energy boosting meals.

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