--- title: Micro-Moments of Vagal Soothing Helps Relieve Stress date: 2020-04-18T16:02:06Z modified: 2023-09-09T16:59:25Z permalink: "https://mindkindmom.com/micro-moments-of-vagal-soothing-helps-relieve-stress/" type: post status: publish excerpt: "" wpid: 4180 categories: - Mind, Body & Spirit tags: - Mind, Body & Spirit - Abuse - Body - brain - Healing - Psychology - Relationships - Stress featured_image: "https://i.imgur.com/cHWLbwC.jpg" featured_image_alt: Micro-Moments of Vagal Soothing Helps Relieve Stress timestamp: 2023-09-09T16:59:25Z --- The vagus nerve is akin to the braking system of an automobile. It helps our body get back to a state of rest and relaxation. However, during stressful times, our body’s natural homeostasis gets quickly overloaded – particularly now, during this ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The [Coronavirus](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/simple-ways-to-stay-safe-and-fight-coronavirus.md) has disrupted the safe and predictable world that we knew. Without a doubt, we are all in a state of high alert. What will happen? How to protect my family? What about my job? Will food and necessities be available? Our minds and bodies are a cesspool of confusion and fear. ![vagus nerve vagal tone stress relax ](https://i.imgur.com/cHWLbwC.jpg) **Exercise stimulates the vagus nerve and increases vagal tone**Alas, worrying and stressing do not help solve problems. Stress weakens our [immune system](https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune). It makes us more susceptible to infection and other health problems. Furthermore. a chronic state of sympathetic fight-flight stress response state undermines the natural braking system of our [parasympathetic](https://yogauonline.com/yoga-for-stress-relief/tapping-power-vagus-nerve-how-your-breath-can-change-your-relationships) – vagus nerve. Leading to a low vagal tone. The activity of the vagus nerve is referred to as vagal tone. When our fight-flight sympathetic nervous system revs up to deal with a perceived threat, the vagus nerve initiates a relaxation response, by releasing [**acetylcholine**](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/treating-scoliosis-with-botox-the-role-of-acetylcholine.md) which counteracts the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. Low vagal tone means our vagus nerve has lost its ability to respond efficiently to counteract the stress response of fight-flight. ### The Vagus Nerve – Two-Way Information Highway The tenth cranial nerve or vagus nerve is the body’s two-way information highway. **Vagus** in Latin means **‘wandering’** since it is the longest cranial nerve connecting the brain stem, neck, ears, and tongue to the heart and lungs, abdomen, and down to the colon. It has two branches- the **Ventral Vagus Nerve (VNN)** branch (also known as our Social Engagement System) and the **Dorsal Vagus Nerve branch (DVN)** which makes us go into freeze mode in the face of unbearable stress. Now, the way to deal with life is to be able to keep our vagal brake system working in balance – manage the stress calmly but not shut down feeling hopeless. ### The Importance of Healthy Vagal Tone A healthy [vagal tone](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201302/the-neurobiology-grace-under-pressure) is indicated by a slight increase in heart rate when you inhale, and a decrease in heart rate when you exhale. Deep diaphragmatic breathing— long, slow exhale—is key to improving vagal tone, and slowing the heart rate and blood pressure – especially when one is anxious. A higher vagal tone index is linked to physical and psychological well-being. Furthermore, a low vagal tone is linked to inflammation, negative moods, gut issues, heart problems, and many other health conditions. So how do you improve your vagal tone? There are two ways either **top-down** (using our mind to relax our vagus nerve) or **bottom-up** ( using our body to calm the vagus nerve). **Top-Down Method to Increase Vagal Tone** 1\) Loving social engagement 2\) Mindfulness/meditation 3\) Relaxing Sound Music 4\) Guided Meditation 5\) Reading 6\) Prayer 7\) Watching feel-good movies **Bottoms-Up Method to Increase Vagal Tone** 1) Deep Breathing 2)Laughter, singing/chanting 3\) Stretching your [tongue](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/mewing-using-your-tongue-to-heal-scoliosis.md) ( gagging reflex, [mocking gesture](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnXUqPH7pJk), or doing Lion’s pose) 4\) Eating [psychobiotic](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/has-your-gut-stopped-feeling-try-some-psychobiotics.md) foods 5\) Physical activity like yoga, crawling, martial arts, Qigong, Tai Chi, a [simple walk](https://www.greenwichtime.com/opinion/article/Amid-a-pandemic-the-calming-power-of-a-simple-15205486.php), jogging, swinging, playing 6\) Painting, knitting, or any activity that requires focus and [hand-eye-coordination](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/depression-cure-use-your-hands-to-heal-your-mind.md) 7\) Body massage, [acupuncture,](https://www.morningsideacupuncturenyc.com/blog/acupuncture-and-the-vagus-nerve) body massage, osteopathy, chiropractic manipulations, myofascial massage, osteopathic bodywork, craniosacral therapy, and even a simple self-facial can be relaxing ### Simple Ways To Hack Your Vagus Nerve – Blow on Your Thumb ### My Own Micro-Moments Of Vagal Soothing I believe in the power of music,[ sound healing music](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/page/sound.md) is a potent way to calm my anxious brain. Sitting under a cool shower effectively washes away the worry. Some[ crawling](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/crawling-the-best-mind-body-exercise.md) and a few body inversion exercises. Additionally, [hugging](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/hugging-meditation-to-relieve-anxiety.md) my son and venting away totally soothes my fight-flight mental state. Remember, the saying a stitch in time saves nine. Make time to focus on your mental and body states and find ways to soothe the vagus nerve. It’s all about making [self-care a priority](https://mindkindmom.com/wp-content/uploads/wp-mfa-exports/post/heart-coherence-make-self-care-a-priority.md). Nonetheless, by strengthening our vagal tone we can have a more robust immune system, a calm mind, and a healthier body. It just takes mindful awareness about how we feel and incorporates micro-moments of vagal soothing in our daily routine. ##### Image Source: [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-stretching-on-ground-3076509/) ## Further Reading: [The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe](https://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Guide-Polyvagal-Theory-Transformative-ebook/dp/B008RSH2G2/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Transformative+Power+of+Feeling+Safe'&qid=1587050796&sr=8-1-fkmr0&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=992067feebc6b62e44c632065aaca38b&language=en_US) – Stephen Porges [The Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism](https://www.amazon.com/Accessing-Healing-Power-Vagus-Nerve-ebook/dp/B013ZNI4JC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B013ZNI4JC&pd_rd_r=798fad3b-420c-455f-92d6-6ac952f09849&pd_rd_w=ipczd&pd_rd_wg=0VUk4&pf_rd_p=f7e50e46-03c7-4eda-9ad4-faa4a79972b4&pf_rd_r=J7ZPF6NSBGE7S75M90CR&psc=1&refRID=J7ZPF6NSBGE7S75M90CR&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=34ad833b2052763af560576f4e2c9840&language=en_US) – Stanley Rosenberg [Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client-Centered Practices](https://www.amazon.com/Polyvagal-Exercises-Safety-Connection-Client-Centered-Interpersonal-ebook/dp/B086FPW61Z/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B086FPW61Z&pd_rd_r=54d91e6d-1f7c-4808-a01a-abe052a94af4&pd_rd_w=zR7Tm&pd_rd_wg=7yinb&pf_rd_p=9fec2710-b93d-4b3e-b3ca-e55dc1c5909a&pf_rd_r=9FSXRTNGZ38QAEWGBRKS&psc=1&refRID=9FSXRTNGZ38QAEWGBRKS&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=9b0f7ebcbe711b516d2f1602ab9644d9&language=en_US) – Deb Dana [The Obstacle is the Way: The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage](https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Ancient-Adversity-Advantage/dp/1781251495/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=308b27b1a46218213aaa5041a1277f8a&language=en_US) – Ryan Holiday [Point B](https://www.amazon.com/Point-Short-Guide-Leading-Change-ebook/dp/B07PJSJ88T/ref=as_li_ss_tl?dchild=1&keywords=Point+B+-+Peter+Bregman&qid=1587193578&s=books&sr=1-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mindkind-20&linkId=c80a1430729935f26541e2b5f6350731&language=en_US) – Peter Bregman