"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below." You’re likely very familiar with the calming effects of a few deep breaths. But take a step back: ...

Those of us of a certain age know the topic of conversation with friends often turns to the state of our health. But next time you’re comparing anxiety levels, digestive issues, aches and pains, or ...

When it comes to brain health, the vagus nerve might not always be top of mind. But this mighty nerve serves an important function: It sends information between your brain and other vital organs, and ...

You’re likely familiar with the calming effects of a few deep breaths. But hang on: have you ever considered why deep breathing – and meditation and yoga, for that matter – can be so relaxing and ...

Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more. A few weeks ago, we discussed cortisol, so I wanted to spend this week exploring the nervous ...

Your vagus nerve helps regulate digestion, breathing, heart rate, and your stress response. Stimulating this nerve could also help you regain a sense of calm in stressful circumstances. You can ...

Are you feeling grounded, present, and levelheaded? Can you face stress and recover quickly from stressful events? If so, I would say you have high vagal tone and your vagus nerve is active. Your ...

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us? It’s pronounced “Vegas,” like the city, but what happens in the vagus nerve ...

Breathing exercises can temporarily lower your blood pressure and heart rate by activating the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve ...