 First, it’s helpful to know that the vagus nerve is the largest nerve in the body. Rather than one nerve it is more a vast network of branches that go from the brain stem to the throat, the lungs, heart, digestive organs and reproductive organs.
80% of nerve impulses through the vagus nerve are sensorial info from the body to the brain. This is the primary reason why we can consciously activate the vagus nerve by doing nervous system resourcing activities. They help us contact the vagus nerve which then shifts the nervous system from fight/flight/freeze to ventral – rest/digest/connect). This is why there is so much emphasis these days on activating the vagus nerve. People are so individual as to which techniques will work for them - to contact and activate their vagus nerve. That's why we have to try a wide variety. Context can make a huge difference as can WHO we are with. (if you're with a guide with whom you don't feel attunement and you're doing a nervous system resourcing technique, it might not work due to the lack of attunement). In addition, doing one technique for 1 minute might not activate the vagus nerve, whereas doing the same technique for 3 or 5 min. and repeating it numerous times will more likely activate it. That's why giving a simple list of techniques may not produce results we’re looking for. I notice that the people who have a CHRONIC F/F activation (e.g. chronic anxiety or being stuck in stressful thinking), often need to do some kind of vigorous movement to get that energy moving in the body and releasing some of the excess tension BEFORE some of these regulation techniques work. Here are some ways to activate the vagus nerve along with links to demo videos: Loud singing or toning = vibrating the back of the throat can activate the vagus nerve. but it needs to be loud. (usually singing or toning has the added benefit of long slow exhalations) demo here. Gargling- VIGOUROUSLY – for several minutes – 6 times a day (no video for this one yet) Big breath in -> HOLD for a few seconds -> exhale long and slow. The hold in between is important as it stretches receptor sites in and around the lungs which in turn is registered by the vagus nerve as a signal of safety. Demo Here Completing the Flight activation: Here's a guided practice: Demo Here Simple technique with the hands: "Deceleration" - rub the hands together really fast and then GRADUALLY slow the movement down. This simple going from fast to slow can signal to the vagus nerve that it's safe to relax. Demo Here If the person responds to touch and rhythm try this one: Demo Here Rosenberg’s eye movement pattern to activate the vagus nerve: Demo Here Another Eye movement exercise that is useful when there's a lot of mental anxiety and then for reconnection with the body there’s a simple whole body movement. Demo Here Experiment. There are infinite ways to activate the vagus nerve. Comments are closed.
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