Your Internal Superpower: The Vagus Nerve

Imagine having a superpower lying dormant within you, waiting to be unleashed. This isn't the stuff of comic books or fantasy. It's a part of your very own biology, intricately woven into your nervous system. It's called the vagus nerve and mastering it could be the key to transforming your life from mere survival to absolute thrive mode.

The Vagus Nerve: Your Inner Survive or Thrive Switch

The vagus nerve is a remarkable entity. It’s not just any nerve; it is the longest cranial nerve, extending from the brainstem to the abdomen, influencing your heart, lungs, and digestive tract. It plays a crucial role in your body's parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for calming organs after the stressed 'fight or flight' response of the sympathetic nervous system.

Let’s break down the sympathetic vs. parasympathetic functions.

Sympathetic Nervous System

Activation: Often referred to as the "fight or flight" system, it prepares the body to respond to perceived threats or stress. It is activated under conditions of stress and emergency.

Effects: When activated, it increases heart rate, dilates pupils, increases blood flow to muscles, and releases glucose from energy stores, among other effects. It reduces bodily functions that are less crucial in emergencies, such as digestion.

Purpose: Its primary role is to mobilize the body’s resources under stress, providing the energy and alertness needed in threatening situations.

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Activation: Known as the "rest and digest" system, it is dominant during peaceful, relaxed states. It is activated when the body is at rest and not under threat.

Effects: It promotes the conservation of energy as it slows the heart rate, increases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal tract.

Purpose: Its main function is to conserve and restore energy during times of rest and calm. It helps maintain normal bodily functions and promote the body’s restorative processes. Immune system functioning and cellular health processes kick in here.

These two systems generally have opposing effects where the sympathetic nervous system serves as an accelerator for the body’s resources under stress, and the parasympathetic nervous system acts like a brake, promoting the maintenance and repair of the body during rest. Together, they help maintain a balance in the body’s states, ensuring that the body responds appropriately to different situations.

From Survive to Thrive Mode

Survival mode, primarily governed by the sympathetic nervous system, prepares us to face immediate threats; which were an evolutionary necessity when the need to suddenly run from say, a saber tooth tiger, was a regular occurrence but now thankfully less often a necessity. It sharpens our senses and primes our muscles for action, but at a cost. Chronic activation can lead to health issues like high cortisol levels, which contribute to weight gain, fatigue, a weakened immune system and a host of other symptoms including eye twitching, fainting spells (known as vaso-vagal syncope) uncontrolled emotional overreactions, ruminating thoughts when you are trying to fall asleep, inability to fall or stay asleep, and a host of other super “un-thrivey” side effects.

On the other hand, thrive mode, facilitated by the parasympathetic nervous system via the vagus nerve, helps us respond to life's challenges with calm and clarity. Like Wonder Woman gracefully dodging bullets as though in slow motion. When the vagus nerve is toned, or in good working condition, it promotes a rest and digest state which not only conserves energy but also aids in recovery and relaxation. When your body is rested and regulated it creates optimal conditions for cellular health and renewal. I think this is like when Superman takes a bullet to the chest and simply picks it out like it’s a piece of lint! Okay so maybe not exactly but still pretty dope.

Toning Your Vagus Nerve

Activating your vagus nerve doesn't require superhuman effort. It can be as simple as adopting specific habits that promote its functioning. Deep, slow breathing, for instance, stimulates the vagus nerve, reducing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure, thereby shifting the body's response from anxiety to calmness.

Engaging in regular mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga can also effectively strengthen this nerve. Such activities bring about a serene mind and a resilient body, ready to face the complexities of modern life without overreaction.

The Everyday Impacts of Dysregulation

The consequences of a dysregulated nervous system are more common and more severe than one might think. Symptoms can range from physical manifestations like a nervous eye twitch, puffy “cortisol” face, to psychological burdens like incessant ruminating thoughts and more serious physical conditions caused by inflammation from heart disease to high blood pressure, arthritis and other chronic conditions. Picture lying in bed, replaying the days events and stressing over minor details – like whether your colleagues in the zoom meeting this afternoon could see your pile of laundry in the corner of your room - this is your nervous system calling for help.

Dysregulation can also lead to emotional outbursts over trivial matters, which may result in feelings of shame and self-distrust and can certainly have a negative impact on interpersonal as well as professional relationships. These are not mere overreactions but signals that your nervous system is in a state of imbalance.

Switching Gears

Learning to switch from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic state can significantly impact your daily life. Techniques like basic breathwork, progressive muscle relaxation, and even simple acts like humming or singing can activate the vagus nerve to trigger the parasympathetic nervous system into relaxation. This switch not only quiets the mind but also enables you to navigate stressful situations more effectively, maintaining mental balance and a state of absolute thrive.

Embracing Your Inner Power

The journey from survival to thriving begins with understanding and harnessing the power of the vagus nerve. Simply by reading this article you are further along than most! Pat yourself on the back. This journey involves recognizing the signs of dysregulation and consciously employing practices that contribute to a healthier, more regulated nervous system over time.

As you begin to integrate these practices into your daily routine, you'll notice a profound shift in how you respond to stress. The situations that once sent you spiraling into a frenzy will become manageable, and you'll find yourself navigating life with a newfound sense of calm and confidence. Your family, friends and partners will take notice and be genuinely thrilled to have you operating as your best self.

This transformation is not just about decreasing stress; it's about unlocking a potential within yourself that enhances every aspect of your life. The vagus nerve is not just a nerve; it's your path to becoming the best version of yourself. You will even begin to see it in your face and body, as cortisol leads to puffy face and chronic inflammation of joints. So why wait? Start tuning your biological superpower today and watch yourself begin to physically transform!

Over the next couple of weeks I will be delving into some techniques that have helped me personally go from an eye twitcher who never sleeps to a rested and regulated superhero of zen! Self-proclaimed of course.

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Regularly scheduled Camelot newsletter comes out tomorrow. Until then, happy Friday you beautiful humans 🌻