Are you familiar with the sneaky ways our bodies respond to stress? For example, have you ever experienced stomach issues before a nerve-wracking event? This phenomenon is the work of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve facilitates two-way communication between our brain and organs like our stomach, lungs, and heart, meaning when stress hits one side, the other also feels the impact. So, when pressure mounts due to an upcoming presentation, it often leads to stomach pain. But it also works the other way around. Poor eating habits negatively affect your mental state. The more stress factors your vagus nerve has to deal with, the lower your vagal tone, and with it, your overall health may suffer. Luckily, several vagus nerve breathing exercises can come to the rescue.
