Stress & The Role Of The Vagus Nerve – Reading The Signals

Did you know?

When we feel stressed, our minds send signals to our bodies. The body then creates its own stress responses and ships those back to the brain, and in effect, tells the brain to be even more stressed.

So what do we do about this? How do we settle these signals?

There is an odd little trick to help to calm the vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve is the longest and largest in our body. This part of our central nervous system winds throughout the body, connecting with every organ system and sends feedback both ways between the body and brain; positive or negative.  This trick is dead simple, free, safe, and can be used as often as desired.

To start with, pay attention to any stress feelings and tensions in your body. Now place a finger just above each of your ear holes. You’ll feel a little ridge of cartilage running from the front to back of each ear. Just above that, is a small hollow. Using whichever fingers fit comfortably, stroke inside those hollows with gentle circular or twisting motions with your fingertips. There’s no need to press hard, gentle does it, and avoid scratching the delicate skin with your nails. Do this for as long as feels god, then move your fingers down to the larger hollows just below your ear holes and repeat.

 

This technique can’t take the place of therapy when it’s needed, but is a lovely way to dial back stress feelings in the body, helping the mind to calm down too. And it’s safe for everyone from the slightly stressed or irritated, to the deeply traumatized.

Enjoy. 💚

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