How to Train Your Nervous System Like a MuscleCategoriesSports Performance

How to Train Your Nervous System Like a Muscle

You train your muscles with progressive resistance, rest periods, and consistent practice—and your nervous system responds to the same principles. When you repeatedly activate specific neural pathways through breathwork, controlled stress exposure, or vagus nerve stimulation, those pathways become stronger and more efficient at managing your body’s stress response. Most people live with a nervous […]

Why the Season Triggers Fight-or-Flight and How to CopeCategoriesStress Management

Holiday Stress: Why the Season Triggers Fight-or-Flight and How to Cope

As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves in a flurry of shopping, social gatherings, and festive buffet lines. While this time of year is frequently anticipated as a time of joy and togetherness, it can quickly become overwhelming and stressful. Many begin to feel the stress of increased financial, time, and social […]

How to Reset with Polyvagal TheoryCategoriesVagus Nerve Education

The Neuroscience of Routine: How to Reset with Polyvagal Theory

Have you ever noticed how difficult it is to stick to healthy routines when you’re stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? You’re not alone.  I’ve worked with hundreds of clients on their health upgrade journeys, and one of the most common challenges they face is incorporating new habits, especially when their nervous system is under pressure. It’s […]

Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn? A Guide to Understanding & Managing Stress ResponsesCategoriesStress Management

Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Fawn? A Guide to Understanding & Managing Stress Responses

The fight-or-flight response has been hardwired into us since the dawn of humanity—a survival mechanism that once helped our ancestors face life-threatening dangers, like cave bears or rival tribes. Today, while you’re unlikely to encounter predators on your morning commute, your body responds to modern stressors—like workplace conflicts or even the relentless buzz of your […]

Can Stress Cause Vagus Nerve Dysfunction? Understanding the Types of Stress and How to Address ThemCategoriesVagus Nerve Education

Can Stress Cause Vagus Nerve Dysfunction? Understanding the Types of Stress and How to Address Them

As a functional medicine practitioner, I’ve witnessed time and again how deeply stress can affect our health—often in ways we don’t immediately recognize. At the center of this stress-response cycle lies the vagus nerve, a vital part of our nervous system that plays a key role in regulating essential functions like heart rate, digestion, mood, […]