What Happens in Vagus.......

There have been lots of conversations about the Vagus nerve lately, have you noticed? I think it's about time! We need to know how important this nerve is and how easy it is to activate it, it could be a lifesaver!

So are you familiar with your Vagus nerve, and what it does for you, If not I will tell you so! The Vagus Nerve belongs to the twelve sets of cranial nerves. It is number 10 or X on the chart. Its role is parasympathetic, which means, it calms the body down and brings it back to equilibrium. Generally, its role is that of soothing and calming the nervous system, and lowering blood pressure, and heart rate, and generally, it is a good guy!

It originates in the cranium (the skull) and travels as far as the abdomen. Its name is derived from the Latin word 'vagary,' meaning wandering. So it wanders a fair bit from its place of origin!

When I was a child we were taught to splash cold water on our faces in the morning to start the day. Given to understand that we were encouraging our skin to glow and be healthy but was it known that we were engaging our Vagus Nerve? So were we doing that anyway without our knowledge, of course we were.

This nerve is often referred to as our second brain. That conjures up some vision, don't you think? It can operate separately from our brain and central nervous system. Isn't that just intriguing? Why has it taken until now to find out about this then I ask myself. Has evolution brought us here, with all the madness that is happening around us right now?

There are lots of simple exercises that we can do to encourage the Vagus nerve to engage and bring our challenged nervous systems back to a state of 'rest and digest'. Water splashing, cold showers, cold water swims, ice baths, and many other cold treatments are advertised as the best way to engage this nerve. I have to admit I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to cold treatments! I'm afraid that splashing cold water on my face is as far as it goes.

But I'm not criticising those who swim in the sea or take part in other cold water treatments—fair play to you, I say. There are other exercises I practice and teach to clients that work just as well. As I always say, awareness is the first part of every process. Once we are aware, we can take action, and then on to transformation.

So are you ready to take action today to engage your Vagus nerve to help keep your nervous system regulated? It's a challenge worth taking it could save your life!!