6th Newsletter

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It’s vagus baby! The vagus nerve, derived from the Latin word vagus, literally meaning ‘wandering’ as it meanders through the body and has a part to play in almost every major function you carry out – sweating, breathing, digestion as well as controlling your heart rate! Now why should this be your favourite nerve? Why should you even have a favourite nerve?! Well aside from the fact it’s the biggest (literally) and baddest nerve there is; it has one peculiar skill that sets it apart. It can potentially quell your stress & anxiety. Everyone has suffered some degree of anxiety sometime in their life. Be it pre-exam jitters, the thoughts about a job interview or a loss. Stimulating this nerve can help to gain control of that anxiety. It is something I have sworn by for the last 7 years of my time in the NHS. My days are often adrenaline fuelled and high stress. Surgery, although exhilarating can provide me with equal doses of anxiety. You have someone’s life literally on the line. These are a few tips & tricks on how to stimulate the vagus nerve: 

• Inhale for 5 seconds, hold your breath for 7, and exhale for 8

• Hold your breath and try to pop your ears (like youre on a flight)

• Splash cold water on your face (or have a cold shower)

• Tense your stomach muscles and bear down (like you’re trying to have a bowel movement)

 Stimulating the vagus nerve lowers the blood pressure & heart rate and hopefully with it, your stress & anxiety!  (If you have any pre-existing heart conditions, it would be wise to check with your doctor before trying your luck with any of these!) 

New Website launching soon so keep your eyes peeled! For now check out my stuff on https://linktr.ee/DrKaran