Do you ever get the feeling that there’s a lump in your throat? If you even think about speaking at a meeting, do you feel nauseous? When you have to have a difficult conversation with someone you love, is there a pit in your stomach?
These sensations are linked to an incredible piece of human anatomy called the vagus nerve, which connects the brain and the gut. Polyvagal theory explores how this nerve—the longest of the cranial nerves and a key player in the parasympathetic nervous system—impacts us moment to moment. This is valuable information for therapists, their clients, and anyone wanting to be more in tune with the brain-body connection.
I had a client who was struggling with parenting anxiety related to ADHD. She came to me wanting to reduce irritability and emotional dysregulation toward her family. She hoped to improve her communication skills and create more meaningful connections with the people in her life. Through several strategies, including education about the parasympathetic nervous system and polyvagal techniques, she reported improved self-talk (neutral or positive) and a decrease in anger—both in how she felt and how she expressed it. This was reflected in reduced GAD-7 and perceived stress scores.
Clients with neurodiversities, including ASD, ADHD, complex PTSD, or mood disorders, often benefit from learning regulation tools before moving into Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), or mindfulness-based interventions. Helping a client—or a child—understand the benefits of these tools and agree to try them can be empowering. Often, just reaching that realization is a healing step in itself.
There are simple ways to support the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which brings the added benefit of reducing stress responses that contribute to low executive functioning. Try a few of these techniques to begin learning how to regulate this system and feel better.
A little at a time—and consistently—is the most effective approach.
Think of it like gently pressing the brake instead of constantly riding the accelerator.
Sommer Hail, is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with Foresight Mental Health. She has a passion for supporting others and continuously expanding her knowledge on trauma treatment. She is dedicated to connecting people with resources and community support.
