Vagus Nerve Breath

Vagus Nerve Breathing

The Vagus Nerve System acts to counterbalance the fight or flight system andcan trigger a relaxation response in our body. It is one of the cranial nervesthat connect the brain to the body. The vagus nerve is a major part of how ourbodies and brains function; without it, our bodies wouldn’t be able to do basictasks, and by stimulating it we can receive powerful health benefits.The moment we anticipate stress in any form, most of us tend to stopbreathing and hold our breath. Breath holding activates thefight/flight/freeze response; it tends to increase the sensation of pain,stiffness, anxiety, or fear. One of the main ways that you can stimulate the healthy function of the vagus nerve is through deep, slow belly breathing. To do the deep slow bellybreathing, inhale into your belly for a count of 4 seconds, your shouldersshould not rise or fall with your breath. Next, hold that breath in your bellyfor 2 seconds. Last, exhale that breath from your belly for 6 seconds.