Relax

What is the vagus nerve? First of all, the vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body which originates in the brain as cranial nerve ten, travels down the from go the neck and then passes around the digestive system, liver, spleen, pancreas, heart and lungs. This nerve is a major player in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the ‘rest and digest’ part (opposite to the sympathetic nervous system which is ‘fight of flight’).

Anxiety is the experience of a nervous system that is not running smoothly.  Many things cause anxiety including stress and trauma. Here are several simple somatic practices to soothe the nervous system. Each gently invites awareness back into the body and can create experiences of safety and calm. You can develop these resources at home, or anywhere you have a moment, and then practice tapping back into them during stressful experiences.