Tag: vagus nerve

Sunday, October 29

Today is Sunday, October 29, 2023. Nature immersion feels so good.  

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Practice breathing to stimulate the vagus nerve and reflex to calm the body. When you breathe in, let your belly rise. When you breathe out, let your belly relax. Repeat.

A quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, “Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.”

Thank you to Nicole Siparsky, MD for sharing this photo, Fall Pumpkins.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, April 21

Today is Friday, April 21, 2023. The bulbs are bursting, the trees are flowering, the grass is greener, it is a great time to pause and notice the nature around us.

Think about this: Sometimes, there is so much going on around us, it can lead to an overload. There can be so many thoughts, feelings, things to do. It can amplify negative thoughts and feelings and make it harder to see the path forward. The good news is that there’s a remedy.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: When the mind is full and the feelings are bouncing around, 1. take a minute to observe your breathing. Then, 2. start to slow the breathing down, make each breath last longer, and breathe from your belly so that your belly rises when you breathe in, and it releases when you breathe out. This activates the vagus nerve and allows your body to calm and settle down. Finally, 3. write down what is on your mind so you can see it. Bonus: maybe even share it with someone you trust.

A quote by Navaz Habib, “The vagus nerve is the conductor of the human body symphony orchestra.”

Thank you to Drew Beamer for sharing this lovely photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP