Vagus Nerve Support:
Counterbalancing Workplace Stress for Better Health and Performance
“Stress acts as an accelerator: it will push you either forward or backward, but you choose which direction.”
– Writer and Sociologist, Chelsea Erieau
Work can be demanding. Deadlines, meetings, constant communication, and high expectations often leave professionals running on overdrive. While some stress can spark motivation, chronic stress in the workplace can wear down health, productivity, and overall well-being.
One powerful but often overlooked way to counterbalance stress is by supporting the vagus nerve—a vital pathway in the nervous system that helps the body recover from tension and return to balance.
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve acts as a communication superhighway between the brain and body, connecting to the heart, lungs, and digestive system. It plays a leading role in the parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s “rest and digest” mode.
When the vagus nerve is functioning well, it helps:
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Lower stress and heart rate
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Support better sleep
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Improve digestion and energy levels
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Enhance mood and emotional resilience
In other words, stimulating the vagus nerve is like pressing your body’s built-in reset button.
Why It Matters at Work
Today’s professional environment often keeps people locked in sympathetic nervous system mode—also known as fight, flight, or freeze. While useful in short bursts, staying in this stress state too long can cause:
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Burnout and fatigue
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Reduced focus and creativity
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Weakened immune system
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Heightened anxiety and irritability
For both leaders and teams, learning to activate the vagus nerve can help counterbalance these effects and create a healthier, more sustainable approach to performance.
Simple Ways to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve During the Workday
The good news: vagus nerve support doesn’t require a long retreat or major lifestyle shift. Here are quick, practical tools you can integrate into your day:
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Breathing breaks – Practice slow, diaphragmatic breathing before a meeting or presentation. Consider the free app, Insight Timer, for guided options for breathing breaks.
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Humming or gentle vocalization – A discreet way to reset tension and engage the vagus nerve.
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Movement – Step away from your desk for a short walk or stretch. Even a few minutes helps.
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Cold splash reset – A splash of cool water on your face can refresh both mind and body.
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Mindful connection – Share a positive conversation or a laugh with a colleague to reset your system.
These simple practices promote calm, focus, and resilience—even in high-pressure environments.
Creating a Culture of Resilience
Supporting the vagus nerve isn’t just about individual well-being—it’s about building healthier workplaces. When leaders and teams learn tools to regulate stress and restore balance, they perform better, collaborate more effectively, and experience fewer stress-related challenges.
✨ At Live Life Business Consulting, I help organizations and professionals integrate wellness and performance strategies—like vagus nerve support—into their daily routines and company culture.
👉 To learn more about how these practices can benefit you and your team, or to receive my comprehensive Vagus Nerve Support Guide, email me today at denise@livelifebusiness.com or set up a discovery call here.
Together, we can build resilience, reduce stress, and unlock higher levels of performance and well-being at work.
