Calm from the inside out: Your fall vagus nerve reset.

As we move deeper into fall, life tends to get busier. Shorter days, cooler weather, shifting routines -- it's common to feel your nervous system running on overdrive this time of year. The key to finding calm again lies in one powerful but often overlooked part of the body: the vagus nerve.

The vagus nerve is the body's main communication channel between the brain and the rest of the body. It helps regulate digestion, heart rate, mood, and stress response. When the vagus nerve is supported and active, you feel grounded, peaceful, and balanced. When it's under strain, you might notice anxiety, fatigue, poor sleep, or digestive issues.

Simple Ways to Support Your Vagus Nerve

1. Practice deep, rhythmic breathing. Try this gentle exercise: inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6. The longer exhale activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the body's natural relaxation response.

2. Move with mindfulness. Yoga, stretching, or even a slow evening walk can help stimulate the vagus nerve and calm the mind. Movement paired with breath is especially powerful for resetting the body's stress response.

3. Try Reiki or energy work. Reiki helps regulate the nervous system by shifting the body from "fight-or-flight" into "rest-and-digest." Many clients feel immediate relief -- calmer, lighter, and more centered -- after a session.

4. Ground with restorative rituals. Warm teas, quiet journaling, and gentle mindfulness practices all help your nervous system return to balance, especially as the energy of fall invites slowing down and reflection.

If you're ready to learn practical tools for regulating your nervous system and managing stress more effectively, join our Vagus Nerve Reset Group. We meet every other Monday at 6 PM. Each session combines breathwork, gentle movement, mindfulness, and more to support your body's natural calm state.

Our next meeting is Monday, November 3rd, and the group is eligible for full or partial coverage by CareFirst insurance. Call our office at (410)989-2034, or visit our website to learn more and reserve your spot.

Take a deep breath. You don't have to face stress alone. Let's reset together.