Vagus Nerve Stimulation - 3 Tips

The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in your body and it runs down the right side of our neck and supplies our organs and brain with vital information. It controls things like our heart rate, digestive tract, lung function, our ability to swallow, and even bladder control, just to name a few. But it also affects our mental health and stimulating it has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and even PTSD symptoms. Which is why today I want to offer 3 quick ways to stimulate your vagus nerve!

1. Expose yourself to something cold. This could be a cold shower, dipping our face into cold water, or going outside if you live somewhere cold.
2. Sing, gargle, suck on a hard candy or chew gum, or hum. Because our vagus nerve runs along the side of your neck and is connected to your vocal cords as well as the muscles in the back of your throat, doing these things can stimulate your vagus nerve and increase our vagal tone. Which might be why I have always found singing to be so calming
3. And finally, gently massage it. Find your trapezius muscle or the muscle that runs on the top of your shoulders and give it a nice massage, and then run your hands up and down the sides of your neck going all the way up until your fingertips run into your hairline right behind your ears (and you may want to have some lotion or oil so that your hands slide more easily).

I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos!
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[kiawe]

Very helpful tips. I'm a professional singer with a non epileptic seizure condition. I can't have a seizure while performing thanks to the vegus nerve stimulus that singing provides. So if I feel one coming on, I sing and I'm all good for a while.

[pisces_chick]

My father was one of the 1st patients to receive the Vagus stimulator. He dealt with extreme major depressive disorder starting in his early 20's. He was the most caring, kind, easy going man I've ever known when he was not having an episode. Mental illness is still very taboo to some people. We have A LONG way to go, but on the right track 💕

[larag]

My doctor and osteopath have both mentioned the vagus nerve to me in the past. I will try your tips. Singing aloud badly in the car alone is one of my fave things 😉🙃🙂

[brittanyalaska]

That last tip is one I do when I get nervous in public, who knew there was a scientific reason behind this😅 I’ve always struggled with anxiety and depression so I love to learn new coping tips.

[scottj]

Laying bareskined on a coldpack wrapped in a layer or 2 of a t-shirt is relaxing after the initial chill.

[TheErolo]

A somatic experience practitioner taught me to “voo”. Similar to the chanting of a Tibetan monk. I love it and it has helped me significantly. I’m also a big fan of the didgeridoo for the same effect.

[vb]

Great tip! I also like the short vid, I didn't think I would like shorts as I like your long videos so much, but you do great at short videos too! 👏👏👏

[mowee-fafo]

Huh is this why i always crave cold water when i have a depressive low.

[namastesilence]

Could you please provide me with more details and information about the case of the patient who has the implant? Was inside her brain or external? I really need it, I'm in the same situation (si)
Help me please!

[itsonlyatail]

Hi Katie I am so computer illiterate, I realized that I have asked questions to things that where done years ago....wish I could figure this out or maybe the subject will come again😕

[brandiking]

I have gastroparesis and vegus nerve is why it say when looking it up

[jaykaytherapy]

@Kati Morton please please share and talk about the ongoing case of #AmberClare and #NoahClare. Their uncle/father (respectively) kidnapped them and they've been gone over a week! The uncle to Amber groomed her. :( Please help us #BringAmberHome #BringNoahHome

[berniculus]

I thought this was something else. oops