The Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve: A Path to Peace and Resilience
By Sage Wilder, author of The Power of the Vagus Nerve
Have you ever felt like your body is stuck in survival mode — racing thoughts, shallow breaths, tight chest — even when there’s no real danger? I know that feeling well. As a mum of two, navigating modern life while trying to hold space for others (and myself), I found myself teetering on the edge of burnout. What I didn’t know at the time was that my nervous system was crying out for balance — and the answer was within me all along: the vagus nerve.
The vagus nerve is not just another anatomical structure but the body’s built-in healing superhighway. It links the brain to nearly every major organ. It plays a vital role in calming the body, restoring balance, and helping us feel safe again after stress or trauma.
A Bridge Between Spirit and Science
In spiritual terms, the vagus nerve could be considered the physical conduit of peace. This divine design allows us to return to presence. Scientifically, it’s the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system — our “rest and digest” mode — counterbalancing the “fight or flight” response that many of us are stuck in.
When we learn to gently stimulate the vagus nerve through practices like breathwork, mindfulness, vocal toning, and somatic movement, we help the body feel safe again. Real healing begins from this place of safety — emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
How Trauma Disconnects Us — and How the Vagus Nerve Helps Us Reconnect
Many people are unknowingly living with dysregulated nervous systems due to unresolved trauma. Whether it’s childhood adversity, toxic relationships, or the overstimulation of modern life, the body remembers what the mind forgets.
When the vagus nerve is underactive or out of balance, we may experience anxiety, digestive issues, poor sleep, and even inflammatory conditions. But when we activate it regularly, we not only reduce symptoms — we restore trust in the body, and reclaim a sense of wholeness.
Simple, Powerful Practices That Heal
In my new book, The Power of the Vagus Nerve, I guide readers through accessible, science-backed exercises to support healing and resilience. Some of the most powerful include:
– Resonance Breathing: Slowing your breath to 6 breaths per minute improves heart rate variability and vagal tone, reducing anxiety and promoting deep calm.
– Cold Water Therapy: A splash of cold water on the face or a cool rinse in the shower can quickly activate the vagus nerve and bring you back to presence.
– Humming, Chanting, or Singing: These stimulate the nerve via the vocal cords, soothing the nervous system and lifting the spirit.
– Grounding and Earthing: Connecting physically to the Earth — barefoot on the grass, for example — calms the body and supports nervous system regulation.
These are not just wellness trends — they are rooted in both ancient traditions and modern neuroscience.
A Holistic Approach to Healing
This book is a natural complement to my earlier work, The Power of Herbal Remedies & Natural Medicine, which explores how botanicals, tinctures, and eco-conscious remedies support physical healing. Where that book focuses on external and internal plant-based support, The Power of the Vagus Nerve helps you regulate your internal systems from the inside out — through breath, movement, mindfulness, and connection.
Together, these two guides create a holistic pathway to physical vitality, emotional resilience, and spiritual alignment.
A New Paradigm of Wellness
My hope is that readers come to see the vagus nerve not just as a nerve, but as a bridge. A bridge between stress and serenity. Between what happened to us and what’s possible for us. Between mind and body. Between self and soul.
You don’t have to wait for life to calm down before you begin healing. You can start now — with one breath, one gentle practice, one moment of connection to the incredible intelligence within your body.
The Power of the Vagus Nerve
Launches 18th July | Free download days every Friday & Saturday on Kindle Download and leave a review to support the message?
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Also by the author: The Power of Herbal Remedies & Natural Medicine
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