Stress Strategy - why your body and mind won’t relax (and the simple switch that can change it)

You may have heard of the Vagus Nerve which is one of the most powerful communication pathways in your body running from your brainstem through your neck and into your heart, lungs and digestion system.

And it plays a huge role in how calm (or not) you feel.

If you’ve been experiencing things like:

• Stress

• A racing mind

• Feeling easily irritated or emotional

• Feeling flat or disconnected

• Low energy or constant fatigue

• Anxiety

…your nervous system may be stuck in “fight or flight” mode more often than it should be.

I recently learned that many ancient practices - like chanting, prayer, and meditative breathing were naturally stimulating the vagus nerve long before we understood the science.

Why? Because the vagus nerve runs close to your vocal cords… and vibration (like humming or singing) helps activate it.

Looking back, I realised something quite powerful.  After my husband passed away six years ago, I would often find myself singing in the evenings while cooking, having a glass of wine, or washing the dishes (very out of tune, I might add).  I thought it was the wine helping me cope.  But in reality, I was unknowingly soothing my nervous system.

What I do now - these days, when I feel stressed, overwhelmed, tired, or emotional, I use something incredibly simple:

I sit down, close my eyes, and hum deeply for a few minutes.  And the shift is magical for me.

I sometimes pair this with a few minutes of journaling, just to get the thoughts out of my head and onto paper, so they stop swirling like a cyclone.

The science bit:

When you stimulate the vagus nerve, your body shifts into a calmer state:

• Slows your heart rate

• Lowers your blood pressure

• Reduces stress hormones like cortisol

• Signals to your brain that you are safe

So try this today, take 2-3 minutes to hum in a low pitch and loud enough that you can feel it vibrate in your throat and chest.  For those of you that are shy, try it out in your car on the way home from work, or while you are in the shower and take notice of any changes you feel in your mind and body, especially if you felt tight somewhere.

This is exactly the work I do with women helping build “mental strength muscle” alongside sustainable health habits that actually fit real life. Email me micaela@bewelllivewell.co.nz and  I’ll send you the details to book a free clarity chat, where we map out:

• what’s actually going on for you

• what’s keeping you stuck

• and your first simple action steps forward

Because you don’t need more information.  You need support turning it into change.