What is the vagus nerve and why does it matter for women?
The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in your body, running from your brainstem through your throat, heart, lungs, and digestive system. Think of it as your body’s communication superhighway between the brain and your internal organs.
For women, the vagus nerve plays a vital role in regulating:
- Stress response (cortisol and the fight-or-flight system)
- Digestion and gut health
- Inflammation and immune balance
- Mood and emotional wellbeing
When your vagus nerve functions optimally, you feel calm, centered, and resilient. When it’s out of balance, you may experience gut issues, low energy, anxiety, or difficulty recovering from stress.
Signs your vagus nerve may be out of balance
- Frequent bloating, constipation, or indigestion
- Trouble calming down after stress
- Feeling anxious, restless, or “stuck in your head”
- Poor sleep or low energy
- Recurring inflammation or immune issues
5 daily practices to balance your vagus nerve
The good news? You can train your vagus nerve like a muscle. Here are five simple ways to strengthen it and support emotional and physical balance:
- Deep belly breathing: Slow, diaphragmatic breaths calm the nervous system and activate the relaxation response.
- Humming or chanting: Gentle vocal vibration stimulates vagal tone and relaxes the throat and chest.
- Cold water splash: A brief splash on your face can reset your stress response and bring you into the present moment.
- Mindful chewing: Eating slowly and consciously improves digestion and signals safety to your nervous system.
- Gentle yoga or stretching: Movement helps release tension and enhances circulation and energy flow.
Next step in your healing journey
Balancing your vagus nerve is one piece of a larger picture. Every woman’s body has its own rhythm, and symptoms often connect across systems — from hormones to digestion to emotions.
Take your AURA assessment to uncover your root causes and receive a personalized daily plan designed just for you — blending body, mind, and lifestyle balance.