Besides changes to what you eat, you can help control & improve your overall gut health with lifestyle changes too.

One of the most empowering ways is by activating your vagus nerve.

Your vagus nerve controls both your sympathetic (fight or flight) & your parasympathetic (rest & digest) nervous system responses.

Based upon today’s world where most of us are under constant stress, looking at screens all day, not exercising as much, & eating poorly, we drive ourselves into a sympathetic state.

Doing so, our bodies don’t focus on digestion as much as they should, & we can see symptoms like bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea & constipation show up.

The goal is to move your nervous system out of the sympathetic state & get it into the parasympathetic state to allow your digestive system to work as it should.

Ultimately this should help lessen your digestive symptoms & allow you to re-engage with life & get back to doing all the things that you love to do.

Here are some simple vagal tactics to try out today that will not only improve your digestion but give you a better sense of calmness & relaxation.

1). Deep diaphragmatic breathing – inhale for 4, hold for 7, exhale for 8 – repeat 5 times

2). Humming – Take 30 seconds & hum your favorite song – repeat 3 times

3). Singing – Take your favorite sound & belt it out for as long as you can

4). Gargling – Use water & gargle for 30 seconds – repeat 3 times

5). Mediation – Use a practice that works for you & do it for at least 20 minutes 1-2x per/day

6). Cold Exposure – Splash cold water on your face or take a cold shower

7). Yoga – Slow & steady movement with deep breathing gets your lymph to flow

8). Intermittent Fasting – Giving your gut a break will allow it to rest & give it time to digest

9). Massage – The physical movement on your body helps to move your lymph to flow

10). Laugh – A good old-fashioned belly laugh is all the “Dr” ordered

So go ahead and give any of these a try.

You’ll not only feel way more relaxed, but over time your digestive woes will hopefully start to lessen & you’ll feel like your old self again.

If you would like to learn more vagus tactics or how else to support your overall nutrition & lifestyle, please click the link in my bio.

#rerootnutritioncoach #foodismedicine #antiinflammatorydiet #functionalnutrition #nutritiontips #vagusnerve #digestion

Sharing is caring!