It Starts at Vagus: Holistic Tips to Manage Stress and Anxiety
Welcome to It Starts at Vagus – the ultimate podcast for women ready to reclaim their calm and reset their health, starting from the root cause: the vagus nerve. Here, we dive deep into holistic strategies, natural remedies, and actionable tips to support your body's natural healing process. Whether you’re managing stress, anxiety, or just looking to improve your overall well-being, our expert insights and practical advice are designed to help you feel empowered and connected. Subscribe for weekly content on the mind-body connection, lifestyle tips, and simple yet effective practices to bring more peace, relaxation, and balance into your life. It all starts here – with your vagus nerve.
Episodes
We explore what happens when well-meaning people say the wrong things about anxiety and how those dismissive comments impact your nervous system. Learn practical strategies to protect your wellbeing when others minimize your experience, from vagus nerve activation to powerful self-advocacy techniques.
Remember, wellness starts at Vegas. New episodes are released every Tuesday, so subscribe for not...
Persistent fatigue despite doing everything "right" often stems from an overtaxed nervous system rather than physical exhaustion.
The vagus nerve, focused solely on survival, diverts energy to keeping us alive when it perceives even subtle threats in our environment.
Listen to methods that help put the vagus nerve back into "rest and restore" mode.
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Are you trapped in the cycle of reaching for quick fixes to calm your stressed nervous system? That third cup of coffee, mindless scrolling, or end-of-day glass of wine might offer temporary relief, but they're actually teaching your body to outsource its sense of safety rather than build it from within.
The truth is, many of us have mastered the art of "borrowed calm" – those external s...
Feeling like you're carrying invisible bricks all day long? When your nervous system is stuck in survival mode, even the most well-intentioned self-care practices can feel like unwelcome demands rather than relief. "You want me to do a full morning routine with juicing, exercising, and journaling? I'm still trying to survive that last group text!"
This episode cuts through the noise...
Your body is throwing an emergency brake while you're still trying to climb uphill—that's burnout. And the most alarming part? Most women don't realize they're experiencing burnout until their bodies physically force them to stop.
Burnout isn't a badge of honor or a sign that you're working hard enough. It's a clear signal that your nervous system has been running a m...
Bring creative joy into your day (without adding anything else to your plate).
Creativity is essential for women to reconnect with themselves and express who they are in a world that often tells them to be quiet and helpful. This episode explores simple ways to incorporate creativity into daily life without adding pressure, helping regulate your nervous system and rediscover your voice.
Ever finally sit down after a long day only to find yourself more tense than before? Your racing mind and clenched jaw aren't signs of failure—they're evidence of your body's remarkable survival system working overtime.
The truth about rest is both fascinating and frustrating: your nervous system doesn't automatically know when danger has passed. So when you finally pause, instead...
The quiet background hum of your mental to-do list gets louder right when you're trying to relax—that's mental load fatigue, and it's hitting women particularly hard. This phenomenon isn't about a lack of organization or efficiency; it's the invisible burden of constant thinking, planning, anticipating, and emotional caretaking that never seems to pause.
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Anxiety manifests physically throughout your body, affecting everything from swallowing to nutrient absorption when your nervous system gets stuck in survival mode. We explore how stress creates a domino effect in your digestive system and share practical solutions to activate your parasympathetic "rest and digest" response.
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The path to healing often begins when we feel safe—when our nervous system can finally relax and let down its guard. In this intimate conversation, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow massage therapist Melissa Kary to explore the transformative power of therapeutic touch for trauma survivors.
Melissa opens up about her own unexpected battle with anxiety. Despite being a wellness professional, she...
Have you ever felt "fine" while your body was silently screaming for help? That was my reality – the calm, high-functioning massage therapist whose world came crashing down with a debilitating gallbladder attack on Thanksgiving Day.
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Your nervous system has a hidden vulnerability that few people discuss: the company you keep. When you surround yourself with chronically negative people, your body's emotional radar—neuroception—picks up subtle cues that trigger a low-level threat response. Even while you're smiling and nodding, your vagus nerve (your body's internal peacekeeper) is struggling to maintain calm.
This pod...
That moment when you've read the same paragraph three times and still can't remember what it said? Your brain isn't broken - it's likely in low power mode, signaling your nervous system needs attention.
Brain fog manifests as that sluggish, forgetful mental state that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming. While not a medical condition itself, this cognitive cloudiness signals ...
Voice tone, controlled by the vagus nerve, plays a crucial role in how we experience social anxiety and how others perceive our emotional state in conversations.
• The polyvagal theory explains how our autonomic nervous system regulates safety, connection, and defense mechanisms through the vagus nerve
• Ventral vagal activation produces a warm, smooth voice tone with range, signaling safety to oth...
Unlock the secrets of your body in this episode as we delve into the intriguing messages sent by your nervous system. Learn how to recognize and respond to the signs of nervous system dysregulation and the simple yet transformative changes you can implement today for your wellbeing. Our engaging discussion covers essential topics like the impact of the fight-or-flight response, the importance of the vagus nerve...
Unlock the secrets of holistic health as Emily, a passionate massage therapist, challenge the myths surrounding mental health. Ever thought mental health issues stop at the brain? Think again.
Join me to explore how the vagus nerve connects it all—the brain, heart, gut, and beyond—unveiling the powerful impact mental health has on the entire body. Discover how recognizing subtle stress signals like an increased...
Is stress silently sabotaging your health without you even knowing it? Discover the surprising ways sneaky stress infiltrates our daily lives and takes a toll on our well-being. This episode of "It Starts at Vagus" with your host Emily uncovers the hidden stressors that we often overlook, from the seemingly innocuous noise pollution and poor sleeping habits to the insidious effects of toxic relationsh...
This episode highlights the intricate relationship between stress, immunity, and the vagus nerve, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy vagal tone for overall well-being. Practical techniques including deep breathing, singing, and improving gut health are shared to help listeners cultivate resilience and reduce chronic stress effects.
• Understanding the vagus nerve's role in stress and ...
Explore the profound insights of the polyvagal theory, which connects our nervous system responses to emotional states. Recognizing signs of dysregulation and learning practical techniques can empower listeners to shift toward calmness and connection.
• Discusses the vagus nerve and its role in emotional regulation
• Explains the polyvagal theory using the traffic light analogy
• Identifies s...
Unlock the secrets to nurturing your brain through the power of social connections, movement, and sunlight.
Join me, Emily, as we uncover how these elements activate the vagus nerve, fostering a state of calm and enhancing cognitive resilience. Discover why spending time with people you love not only uplifts your mood but also boosts oxytocin levels and reduces stress, promoting a healthier mind. We&a...
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