The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve in the body, is a vital part of our parasympathetic nervous system—the one responsible for that coveted “rest and digest” state. Its proper activation is key to reducing stress, calming the nervous system, and improving overall well-being.
Forest Field curates products like the Vegas Nerve Oil and Forest Bathing Nervous System Reset Bundle, and more, all designed to support your nervous system in ways that are clean, safe, and effective.
Ready to explore how to activate your vagus nerve for better health? Here are seven science-backed methods, along with how our products can help you on this journey.
1. Deep Breathing and Diaphragmatic Breathing
Deep breathing is a simple yet powerful way to activate the vagus nerve. Slow, deep breaths help shift the body from a state of stress to relaxation, with studies showing that this increases vagal activity and promotes calmness. Try a breathing cycle of inhaling for four seconds, holding for four seconds, and slowly exhaling for six seconds.
Pro tip: While practicing your breathing, add our Vegas Nerve Oil to your routine. The hyper-clean formulation is perfect for massaging onto pulse points, stimulating the vagus nerve for an enhanced calming effect. Shop Vegas Nerve Oil.
2. Cold Exposure
Cold exposure, such as splashing cold water on your face or taking a brief cold shower, can trigger the parasympathetic response and activate the vagus nerve. Regular cold exposure has been linked to improved cardiovascular health and better stress resilience.
Try this: After your cold exposure routine, follow up with a warm bath using our Nervous System Calming Salts. These salts are a key part of our Forest Bathing Bundle and are designed to gently soothe your system after stimulation. Shop Forest Bathing Bundle.
3. Meditation and Mindfulness
Mindfulness and meditation practices are well-known for increasing vagal tone, helping to reduce stress and improve emotional regulation. Whether it’s breath-focused meditation or guided visualization, consistent practice can have profound benefits for the nervous system.
Pair it with: Lighting our Calming Candle while meditating creates a peaceful, autoimmune-safe environment. Infused with relaxing botanicals, it can help amplify the calming effects of your meditation routine. Shop the Calming Candle.
4. Singing, Humming, and Chanting
Singing, humming, and chanting stimulate the vagus nerve through vibrations in the vocal cords and muscles at the back of the throat. Incorporating this practice daily can be a fun and effective way to enhance vagal tone.
Pro tip: While engaging in vocal exercises, gently massage your neck with our Vegas Nerve Oil to target the nerve directly. The blend is designed for maximum absorption, making it a perfect companion for this practice. Shop Vegas Nerve Oil.
5. Yoga and Tai Chi
Yoga and Tai Chi combine physical movement, breath control, and meditation, all of which increase vagal tone and help reduce inflammation. These mind-body practices can significantly improve your overall well-being and resilience to stress.
Enhance your routine: Use our Guasha Tool to release lymphatic buildup before or after your yoga or Tai Chi practice. Lymphatic drainage can help support your body’s natural detoxification process, which pairs perfectly with vagus nerve activation. The Guasha Tool is available in our gift box.
6. Laughter and Social Connections
Laughter and positive social interactions are natural vagus nerve activators. Genuine laughter not only releases endorphins but also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, improving heart health and reducing stress.
Tip for enhanced effects: After social activities or a good laugh, unwind with our Nervous System Reset products to keep your body in a state of rest. Whether it’s the Vegas Nerve Oil or our Nervous System Calming Salts, these products can help maintain balance after a stimulating day. Shop Nervous System Reset.
7. Massage
Massage is another effective method for stimulating the vagus nerve. Whether it’s a professional massage or self-massage, regular sessions can increase vagal activity and reduce stress. Pairing a massage with targeted products can enhance the benefits.
Self-care tip: Use our Vegas Nerve Oil for a soothing neck or foot massage to directly stimulate the vagus nerve. For a deeper experience, try our Guasha Tool for lymphatic drainage. Shop our Nervous System Reset products here.
Explore our range of hyper-clean, autoimmune-safe products designed to help you find balance, reduce stress, and support your well-being. Incorporate them into your daily routine and experience the transformative effects of vagus nerve activation.
Shop our full collection of Nervous System Reset products.
