Breath <> Movement <>Sound

Breath * Movement * Sound

These are the keys to activate your vagus nerve, which turns on the switch in your nervous system to create a sense and ease and safety while trying to conceive. By intentionally engaging in practices that stimulate the vagus nerve, you can create an internal environment that supports your fertility journey and enhances your ability to cope with the emotional rollercoaster of trying to conceive. When your nervous system feels safe, your body and mind are in a more receptive state, free from the chaos of overwhelming emotions or stress responses.

Breath: The Foundation of Calm

The first step in activating the vagus nerve is through breath. Your breath is a direct link to your nervous system and has the power to shift you out of a stress response into a state of calm. Slow, soft, smooth breaths, where the exhale is longer than the inhale, encourages vagal tone and helps signal to your body that it’s time to relax and enter a parasympathetic state. This means your nervous system receives the signal to relax, slowing your heart rate and reducing anxiety. When you feel safe and calm, you’re able to connect more deeply with your body, your emotions and drop into the present moment.

Movement: Clearing Stagnation, Shifting Consicousness

Gentle, mindful movements can release stored tension in the body and help to restore balance to your nervous system. If you’re used to more vigorous styles of movement you might be surprised at the subtle yet powerful shifts that can occur with yoga. When going through the egg stimulating portion of fertility treatments, the goal is not to push yourself as hard as you can, but rather, to participate in movement that is supportive of your growing ovaries in a way that is both nourishing and grounding for the mind, body and spirit. Doing so helps to cultivate compassion and patience as you bestow friendliness upon yourself.

Sound: Amplifying Your Vibration

Sound is another essential element in activating the vagus nerve. Sound has the ability to bypass mental chatter and directly influence the nervous system. This is why practices such as chanting, humming, or even listening to soothing music can be so powerful in creating a sense of calm.

One of the most effective sound-based practices is humming or chanting “Om.” The vibrations created in the body when you hum resonate in the areas that activate the vagus nerve, creating a soothing ripple effect that calms your entire nervous system. Even simple sounds, such as listening to calming music or nature sounds, can help reset your nervous system, reduce cortisol levels, and promote a sense of ease from within.

By using sound, you can create an emotional sanctuary for yourself, a place where you feel supported, grounded, and signal a sense of safety while trying to conceive.

When you feel safe and your nervous system is in balance, you begin to take on the role of a neutral observer to your feelings as they come and go, rather than being defined by them. This state of being allows you to respond, rather than react, to your emotions. In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to get swept up in waves of fear, doubt, or frustration. However, by practicing these techniques to activate the vagus nerve, you create space for yourself to sit with these emotions without being consumed by them.

You become able to gently observe your emotions, recognizing that they are temporary and fluid. This shift in perspective allows you to remain calm and composed, even when emotions are high. This is especially important when trying to conceive, as the journey can sometimes bring up feelings of impatience or sadness. When you respond to your emotions from a place of inner steadiness, you make room for a more balanced approach to your fertility journey.