Because of the anatomy of the vagus nerve, salivating can be an extremely effective technique for calming the nervous system.
vagus nerve anatomy
Did you know that the lymphatic system is one of the most powerful yet neglected systems in the body and is critical for our immune health? As we know, nearly 90% of all chronic disease and chronic health conditions are associated with excessive or persistent inflammation.
The sphinx is another vagus nerve hack that can improve your cervical range of motion, thereby increasing blood flow to the brainstem and stimulating the vagus nerve. It relaxes the SCM and trapezius muscles, allowing for greater mobility.
Another great vagus nerve hack that you can do is pelvic floor release and relaxation. What’s interesting about the pelvic floor is that we tend to hold so much tension here. This is where we tend to hold our emotions and typically can have actually more of a tighter pelvic floor.
So many people are suffering from anxiety and depression. Learn about the gut-brain connection and the gut’s influence on mood and behavior. This is an important and necessary aspect of looking at mental health while addressing underlying causes that we might not know were there.
Not only can you consciously tap into the power of your vagus nerve; you should. Known as the “wandering nerve” in Latin, it begins in the brainstem and innervates the muscles of the throat, circulation, respiration, digestion and elimination tracks. It accounts for 80 percent of our parasympathetic, or “rest and digest,” nervous system. Healthy vagal activity is associated with better physical and mental well-being. Otherwise, it can cause issues such as inflammation, heart disease, and strokes.
