"Mindfulness" and the "Vagus Nerve"

So today . . . let's finish this topic and talk about how else "mindful" thinking can help our health.
Okay . . . so as I said the other day . . . a big plus to "mindful" thinking . . . is its ability to reduce "inflammatory biomarkers" in the brain
You see . . . when you feel stressed out . . . the body triggers the "release" of the hormone called "cortisol" which is the "stress hormone" . . . which in turn . . . causes wide-spread "inflammation" and "increased" pain in already irritated "joints" and "muscles".
So by practicing "mindfulness" . . . the shift of "focus" to something quiet and calm like your breathing . . . can "reduce" inflammation and its pain.
And what about the "immune system"???
Well . . . as we spoke before . . . "mindfulness" has the ability to "increase" our white blood cells . . . and as we know . . . our white blood cells help fight off infections, "viruses' and "bacteria".
And with that . . . this practice can "boost" the activity of hundreds of genes known to be directly involved in regulating "immune response".
Okay . . . so one last point for today . . . what about the "vagus nerve"
Well . . . we've spoken about this very important cranial nerve to optimal health many times before . . .
But in relatability to "mindfulness" . . . it can "optimize" the functional connectivity of the default mode network . . . which lowers "inflammation" and "improves" the brain's ability to manage "stress" and "anxiety".
The "vagus" nerve also when "stimulated" . . . can dramatically "reduce" the severity of "depression".
And when stimulating this nerve with "mindful" thinking . . . it can send a message to the body that it's time to relax and de-stress . . . which in turn . . . can lead to long-term improvement in mood, overall health and resilience.
You see . . . this very important nerve is a "messaging highway" that brings information from our "inner organs" like the gut, liver, heart and lungs . . . to the brain.
So when practicing "mindful" thinking . . . listening to . . . and being one with our body in that "mindful" moment . . . we are now actually listening to our "internal dialogue".
So every time I've told you in the past . . . to obtain optimal health . . . we must listen to and correct our "internal dialogue" . . . this is what I'm talking about.
This is the communication highway that tells our brain how we feel and how healthy our "cells" really are.
But . . . you can't have this "internal" conversation . . . unless you practice "mindful" thinking or stimulate the "vagus nerve".
So in closing for today . . . next time you feel that life is overwhelming . . . take a moment . . . to be "mindful".
Now . . . for the rest of the summer I will be in "summer mode" working on the farm . . . so I'll only be posting my Health tips . . . Monday thru Friday.
So have an awesome weekend . . . stay safe . . . and be "MINDFUL" people!
See you on Monday
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