Deep Breathing and the Vagus Nerve
Deep breathing helps activate the vagus nerve and gets us out of the sympathetic dominant “fight or flight response” associated with chronic stress and stress related disorders.
I recommend deep breathing exercises to patients and encourage them to do so during acupuncture sessions, since certain acupuncture points also help engage the vagus nerve and help break the cycle of stress induced conditions like low back pain, heart palpitations, and headaches to name a few.
One study found that “just two minutes of deep breathing with longer exhalation engages the vagus nerve, increases HRV (heart rate variability), and improves decision making.”
Read more about deep breathing and the vagus nerve here: