5 Ways to Strengthen Your Vagus Nerve

What Is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It travels all the way from the brain stem to the abdominal organs. Along the way, it touches the heart, lungs, and throat. It literally connects your brain to your digestive system. This nerve can also directly slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Stimulating the vagus nerve will help to improve digestion and reduce nervous tension.

Sing or Hum

The vagus nerve passes through the inner ear and activates the throat and vocal cords. The more vibration that you create through sound, the more you stimulate the nerve.

Gargle

The act of gargling stimulates the pharyngeal muscles of the throat and activates the vagus nerve as it makes its way down to the digestive system. Gargle before meals to enhance digestion. Aim for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Breathe

The vagus nerve passes through your lungs, diaphragm, throat, and belly. Breathing with a constriction in the throat (Ujjayi breathing) and deep belly breathing are calming in nature and healing to the gut.

Cold

Rinse your face with ice-cold water, or better yet, finish your shower on cold. This stimulates the diving reflex to increase blood flow to your brain and slow your heart rate.

Gag

Yup, you read that right. Gently stimulate your gag reflex by pressing down on the back of your tongue with a toothbrush.