7 Ways To Instantly Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve To Fight Inflammation, Depression And Migraines!
The vagus nerve, which is located immediately behind where you usually feel for your pulse, represents the longest nerve in your body. It is among the twelve cranial nerves and it spreads from your brainstem to your abdomen and through several organs, your esophagus, lungs and heart included.
It is generally known as “cranial nerve X,” due to the fact that it is part of your involuntary nervous system that is responsible for directing every unconscious action of your body, such as the stabilization of your heart rate and making certain that your digestive system is working in a proper manner.
What is interesting is that the vagus nerve got its name due to the fact that it actually “wanders” like a “vagabond”, thus sending very small fibers from your brainstem to your visceral organs. Visceral organs are the organs located in your abdominal area and chest: lungs, heart, liver, intestinal tracts and pancreas.).
What the vagus nerve basically does is control your entire parasympathetic nerve system, which is the system that stimulates what is called your “feed and breed” or “rest-and-digest” activities when your body rests and after having a meal.
A study that was conducted at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research has demonstrated that the vagus nerve can in fact be what it is known as “the missing link” to treating chronic inflammation that can trigger various other problems, such as high blood pressure, gastrointestinal issues, migraines, and any inflammatory associated conditions such as arthritis, and others, all without taking any medications!
Your Vagal Tone
Vagal tone generally refers to the inhibitory control of your vagus nerve over your heart rate. Studies are now revealing that the vagal tone is of key importance for activating your parasympathetic nervous system, as well as everything it does. The vagal tone can be measured by tracking your heart rate combined with your breathing rate.
Generally, when breathing in, your heart rate speeds up a bit and vice versa when breathing out. The vagal tone is then decided by the difference between your heart rate when breathing in and your heart rate when breathing out. If the difference is bigger, it means that your vagal tone is higher, which is in fact good in this case as it signifies that you are more capable compared to someone who has a lower vagal tone, to relax your body after going through a stressful situation.
Why is a higher vagal tone good?
In addition to having the ability to relax more quickly after experiencing a stressful situation, people who have a high vagal tone generally have internal systems that are much better functioning, for instance:
- Lowered risk of heart illness and strokes.
- Better regulation of the blood glucose.
- Improved digestion as a result of the proper production of gastrointestinal enzymes.
- Reduced blood pressure in general.
- Less anxiety, that is, people naturally deal with stress in a better manner.
- Less depression.
- Less migraines.
What should you do if you have a low vagal tone?
Sadly, people who have a low vagal tone are more vulnerable to strokes and heart problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, cognitive impairment, anxiety, as well as more inflammatory conditions like any autoimmune illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems, inflammatory bowel illness, lupus, endometriosis, and so on.
How can you increase your vagal tone?
Until now, researchers have stimulated the vagus nerve with the use of a device emitting an electrical current, however other methods exist that you can use to do this by yourself. Studies likewise show that people who have genetic predispositions to various levels of vagal tone, with continuous practice can change their tone to a certain level with the use of the techniques given below.
Seven Manners To Instantaneously Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve To Battle Depression, Migraines, And Inflammation
#1. Humming
You remember the people you used to think were totally “new age” because they would sit silently repeating the “OM” sound? Well, it turns out that they aren’t doing it for no reason. Due to the fact that the vagus nerve is linked to your singing cords, systematic humming can help stimulate the nerve.
#2. Speaking
In addition, it is more probable that people who have the habit of speaking more are going to increase their vagal tone because of the fact that the speaking is done through the vocal cords. Laugher and singing are generally likewise going to do the trick.
#3. Rinse your face with cold water
It appears that a splash of cold water can likewise stimulate the vagus nerve. If your body needs to adjust to the cold weather, your fight-or-flight, that is, sympathetic system declines and your rest-and-digest, that is, parasympathetic system raises. In other words, any type of unexpected exposure to the cold is going to raise the activation of your vagus nerve. You can achieve this if you dip your face in some cold water or if you have a cold shower.
#4. Breathing deeply using your diaphragm
Taking deep and long breaths from your diaphragm has the ability to help stimulate, as well as tone your vagus nerve.
#5. Yoga
Research demonstrated that yoga, accompanied by breathing exercises, can considerably raise your vagal tone.
#6. Meditation
A study that was conducted in 2010 stated that people who have the habit of meditating on a regular basis and thinking more positive thoughts have a tendency to have better vagal tone.
#7. Raise Healthy Bacteria In The Gut
Even though the increase of the healthy bacteria present in the gut provides a number of benefits, what is surprising is that it likewise helps the development of a positive “feedback loop” through your vagus nerve, hence increasing its tone. Probiotics are a remarkable source of beneficial bacteria.
All of the above described techniques can help better your general health just because of the fact that they can likewise aid lower stress, which is a crucial factor in this disease, however understanding that you can aid better your vagal tone, and the particular problem of inflammation, is likewise an efficient tool.
Incorporate these easy tricks into your everyday routine and you are going to see that you are going to feel much better in no time.
Source: dailyhealthpost.com
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