If you’re finding that it’s hard to sleep at night or that you’re constantly feeling stressed throughout the day, then it might be time to develop a relaxation routine. Stress can cause a lot of problems if it’s not properly managed. Relaxation techniques such as vagus nerve stimulation are important for keeping your stress at bay and can help you to develop a relaxation routine. The good news is you can practice vagus nerve stimulation at home, and make it a part of your daily routine.
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation
One of the best things you can add to your relaxation routine is vagus nerve stimulation. Whether it’s morning or night, vagus nerve stimulation is something you can do each and every day to help you relax.
How does it work? Simply put, the vagus nerve is a complex nerve in the human body that is responsible for activating the parasympathetic nervous system. This system helps your body to recover from stress. When this nerve is stimulated it helps your body to relax when faced with stress. It also helps you to stay calm.
One of the easiest ways to stimulate the vagus nerve is with the Xen device by Neuvana. Micropulses are delivered through the headphones as you listen to music or ambient sounds, which stimulates the vagus nerve and helps you to relax.
That means vagus stimulation is definitely something you want to consider when it comes to creating your relaxation routine.
Developing a Morning Relaxation Routine
Be sure to add vagus nerve stimulation to your morning routine, and try out these additional tips to help you get focused and ready for the day.
Avoid your phone for the first 30 minutes you’re awake
It’s always tempting to grab your phone right when you wake up and catch up on what you missed. The truth is it leads to wasted time right when you wake up, and makes your mind go straight to your to-do list.
Instead, leave your phone for at least 30 minutes and allow yourself to do something else that makes you feel good first thing in the morning.
Get yourself ready the night before
One of the best ways to start your day off on the right foot is to set out what you need the night before. That way when you wake up your to-do list is as minimal as possible and you’ll feel a lot more prepared to take on your day. Even preparing your breakfast can make a big difference!
Start your day with gratitude
Mindset is everything, and showing gratitude first thing in the morning is a sure way to start your day off positively. You’ll feel a lot calmer and less stressed throughout the day. You might even find yourself a little bit happier too!
Avoid hitting the snooze button
We’ve all gone through phases of hitting the snooze button as soon as we wake up, but it can be a major buzzkill if you’re left without the proper amount of time to get yourself ready and do your morning relaxation routine. Set the intention to never hit that snooze button and it will become a habit in no time.
Get yourself some sunlight
You might be surprised to know that sunlight helps the body to wake up. It helps to suppress melatonin production and give you more energy.
Try opening up the blinds as soon as you wake up or stepping outside for a moment to breathe in some fresh air.
Developing a Nighttime Relaxation Routine
If vagus nerve stimulation doesn’t fit into your morning routine, then the evening is definitely a great time to add it to your routine. Here are some additional things you can do to develop a routine that will help you to relax before going to sleep.
Put away your phone and screens
Just like how you should avoid your screens for the first 30 minutes of the day, it’s a great idea to put them away before you go to sleep. The blue light that’s emitted from your screens can have a negative impact on your ability to produce melatonin. This can disrupt your sleep.
Dim the lights
Lighting is fantastic for setting the tone and getting yourself in the mood to sleep. When you dim the lights, you give your body a natural cue that it’s time to go to sleep. It’s a great idea to get as much light as you can during the day, and then reduce it at night as much as possible.
Drink a cup of tea
A warm cup of herbal tea before bed can be super comforting. Teas like chamomile have been known to help soothe the mind and body before bed. Just make sure your tea is caffeine free.
Try meditation
Meditation might seem a little intimidating at first, but it can be incredible when it comes to relaxation. Even just a few minutes before bed can be beneficial in helping to calm down your mind and body. It’s also something that’s super easy to do with vagus nerve stimulation.
Take a warm bath
If you’re having trouble getting your body to relax before bed, a bath is always a good idea! Hop in an hour or two before you plan on falling to sleep. The heat from the warm water is a natural trigger to the body that tells it it’s time to wind down.
Read a book or listen to music
To help take your mind off things and get you in the mood to sleep, try picking up a good book. Or simply listening to music with your eyes closed. It’s usually best to go for more relaxing reading material rather than wild page-turners.
The same goes for music. Pick something relaxing rather than upbeat tunes that will only excite the mind and body.
Over to You
We hope you’re feeling motivated to develop your very own relaxation routine. And that you make vagus nerve stimulation a part of it! Regardless of if your routine happens in the morning, at night, or both, vagus nerve stimulation comes with tons of great benefits that you’re sure to see in no time.
