It is responsible for many different functions, including heart rate, digestion, and immunity.

It is also one of the most critical nerves in the body for maintaining mental health.

Can Stress and Anxiety Affect the Vagus Nerve?

person stressed out while working on their laptop

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Stress and anxietycan both trigger the vagus nerve.

When the vagus nerve is functioning effectively, it helps promote emotional balance.

When impaired or disrupted, it can be difficult to calm down after experiencing a stressor.

How Do You Destress the Vagus Nerve?

In some cases, it may be possible to repair the damage.

However, in other cases, the damage may be permanent.

Why Is the Vagus Nerve Important in Stress Management?

We all deal with stress.

The problem is when stress builds unchecked.

Over time, stress can lead to vagal nerve dysfunction.

Dysfunction of the vagal nerve can also be a result of aging.

To avoid negative mental of physical health issues, it’s essential to keep your stress under control.

How Does Breathing Affect the Vagus Nerve?

Breathing deeply can help to calm the vagus nerve.

This is because deep breathing helps to slow down the heart rate.

When the heart rate is slowed, the body can relax and reduce stress levels.

What that means is thatdeep breathingcan be an effective tool for managing stress and maintaining a healthy vagus nerve.

Talk to a qualified healthcare professional about which treatment options are right for you.

In: StatPearls [Internet].

Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-.

2020;32(11):e13873.