Is nature the prescription you’ve been missing? Nature offers everything we need to decompress and replenish. The more we can unplug and go outside, the more we support our parasympathetic nervous system, our body’s rest and digest system. This is regulated by the vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which controls functions like heart rate, breathing, and digestion. Stimulating the vagus nerve helps us recalibrate our cells and recover from stress.
One of my favorite ways to support the vagus nerve is through outdoor exercise. Engaging in physical activity outdoors activates the vagus nerve, improving mood, digestion, and relaxation. Exercise also enhances coronary blood flow, which promotes heart health and fosters new brain pathways, increasing connectivity between brain cells. A key benefit of outdoor exercise is improved heart rate variability, an important factor in heart health. Higher heart rate variability lowers the risk of heart disease and helps the body recover faster from stressors, making it essential for thriving in life.
Spending time outdoors also nourishes our senses. Take a moment to really look around and appreciate the world around you. Strengthen your vision by varying your perception of depth, and allow yourself to enjoy a beautiful sunrise or observe a bunny hopping by. Skip the earbuds and listen to the sounds of nature—the birds chirping, the wind rustling the trees, or the crunching of leaves beneath your feet. The smells of fresh air, flowers, and earth engage your olfactory system, influencing your brain’s limbic system, which regulates your emotions. Deep breathing, which stimulates the vagus nerve, also enhances this experience.
Gardening is another wonderful way to incorporate outdoor exercise while nourishing your senses. Tasting fresh herbs from your garden can deepen your connection with nature. Grounding, or connecting your bare feet to the earth, is one of the most healing practices you can do. Aim for at least 20 minutes a day, as this allows beneficial negative ions from the earth to connect with your body’s cells, lowering cortisol and reducing stress.
Simple activities, like doing push-ups off a tree or feeling the sun and wind on your face, are incredibly therapeutic. Forest bathing, which involves immersing yourself in the natural world, has proven health benefits, boosting your parasympathetic nervous system.
Take time to truly experience nature, letting its beauty grace and flow through you. To learn more about supporting your vagus nerve and Naturopathic Medicine, call our office for a FREE 10-minute consultation.
In Good Health,
Dr. Dawn Siglain ND, LAc
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