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The Vagus Nerve: How Somatic Therapy Supports Your Body's Natural Healing System

In recent years, there’s been a rising wave of curiosity about the vagus nerve, the body's longest cranial nerve that plays a vital role in regulating our stress responses, digestion, heart rate, and even social connection. As the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system — often called the "rest and digest" system — the vagus nerve helps calm the body after stress.


But what happens when chronic stress, trauma, or illness dysregulates this system?

This is where somatic therapy comes in — a body-based therapeutic approach that supports vagus nerve health and helps restore balance to the nervous system.


In this post, we’ll explore:

  • What the vagus nerve is and why it matters

  • Signs of a dysregulated vagus nerve

  • How somatic therapy can help regulate the vagus nerve

  • Simple somatic practices you can try today


What Is the Vagus Nerve?

The vagus nerve (from the Latin vagari, meaning "to wander") is a key part of our autonomic nervous system, connecting the brain to various organs — including the heart, lungs, and gut. It carries signals between the brain and body, influencing inflammation, emotional regulation, heart rate variability (HRV), and digestion.


Studies show that a well-functioning vagus nerve is associated with better emotional resilience, lower anxiety, and improved cardiovascular health (Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Rogler, G., & Hasler, G. (2018). Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 44. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00044 )



Signs Your Vagus Nerve May Be Dysregulated


When the vagus nerve is underactive or overwhelmed, it can lead to a host of symptoms, including:


  • Chronic anxiety or depression

  • Digestive issues (e.g., IBS, bloating)

  • Low heart rate variability (HRV), a key marker of stress resilience

  • Chronic inflammation

  • Fatigue or brain fog

  • Difficulty relaxing or feeling safe in social situations


These issues can sometimes (not always) be traced back to trauma or chronic stress, which keep the body in a prolonged fight-or-flight state, limiting the vagus nerve’s ability to regulate calm.


How I can help you regulate your Nervous System and Vagus Nerve:


🧩 Summer of Self Love (Half day retreat in Langford Budville Somerset)


A whole-listic gathering weaved together to facilitate a space for you to reconnect with yourself, release what no longer serves you, and cultivate self love through different ancient and modern practices:


*Breathwork

*Yoga

*Somatic Release session

*Guided Journaling

*Cacao Ceremony

*Sound Bath

*Sharing Circle




🧩 Wellness Weekend: Soul Nourishing Retreat (3rd – 5th October, 2025 | Hill Farm, Tintern, NP16 6ST)


A Transformational Retreat for Women


Escape into the heart of nature for a soul-nourishing weekend retreat designed to reconnect you with your body, your breath, and your inner wisdom. This wellness weekend is a sanctuary for women seeking deep release, renewal, and sisterhood, guided by powerful practices that nurture the body and spirit.


We will explore:


*Somatic Release

*Self Love Women’s Circle

*Guided Journaling

*Yoga

*Tea and Cacao Ceremonies

*Outdoor Sauna

and so much more!

Different Accomodation Options and early birds discount available, more info here


🧩 Monthly Sound Baths in Wellington's warm, welcoming and nurturing space Pure Yoga Somerset


Latest dates can be checked here.



🧩 1:1 sessions



Carla is a Wellbeing Coach, accredited in NLP, EFT, Somatic Bodywork and Clinical Hypnosis. She is also trained as a Yoga and Breathwork teacher, a Sound Healer and dedicated mother. ​

​

Carla creates safe, nurturing spaces for personal transformation, weaving multiple methodologies to help you reset your nervous system, release emotional blocks, and ignite self-belief.

 

With intuition and care, Carla meets you where you are, holding space for balance, flow, and the unfolding of your own unique path.


♥ Send your inquiries to carlacarolinacoach@gmail.com



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Other References:


  • Breit, S., Kupferberg, A., Rogler, G., & Hasler, G. (2018). Vagus nerve as modulator of the brain–gut axis in psychiatric and inflammatory disorders. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9, 44.

  • Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. W. W. Norton & Company.

  • Levine, P. A. (2010). In an unspoken voice: How the body releases trauma and restores goodness. North Atlantic Books. Research on Somatic Experiencing.

  • Critchley, H. D., & Garfinkel, S. N. (2013). Interoception and emotion. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 180.

  • Dana, D. (2018). The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation. Polyvagal Institute.

  • Kok, B. E., et al. (2013). How positive emotions build physical health: Perceived positive social connections account for the upward spiral between positive emotions and vagal tone. Psychological Science, 24(7), 1123–1132.

  • Shaffer, F., McCraty, R., & Zerr, C. L. (2014). A healthy heart is not a metronome: An integrative review of the heart's anatomy and heart rate variability. Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 1040.

 
 
 

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