The Vagus Nerve & Reflexology: How to Reset Your Nervous System Naturally
Have you ever noticed how stress shows up not just in your mind, but all over your body? Maybe it’s the tight chest, the racing thoughts, the shallow breathing, or the feeling of being constantly on edge. This is your nervous system calling for some care. And one of the most important players in calming it all down? The vagus nerve. At AB Wellness & Reflexology, one of the things I love most is how reflexology works hand in hand with your nervous system. When we focus on specific reflex points, we can help stimulate the vagus nerve and guide your body back into a state of calm, balance, and repair. Let’s take a look at what the vagus nerve is, why it matters so much, and how reflexology can naturally support it.
What Is the Vagus Nerve?
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body and a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as your “rest and digest” system. Think of it as the body’s internal communication superhighway. It connects your brain to major organs, including your heart, lungs, and digestive system.
When the vagus nerve is functioning well, it helps to:
- Slow down the heart rate
- Support healthy digestion
- Calm the stress response
- Improve mood and emotional balance
- Encourage deep, restorative sleep
But when stress levels stay high, the vagus nerve can become underactive. This leaves you feeling stuck in “fight or flight” mode, jittery, anxious, exhausted, or burnt out.
Why Stimulating the Vagus Nerve Matters
Stimulating the vagus nerve helps to switch the body back into that healing, restorative “rest and digest” state. It lowers stress hormones, reduces inflammation, and allows your systems to function the way they’re meant to. A well-toned vagus nerve can help with:
- Reducing anxiety and stress
- Improving gut health (since digestion is vagus-nerve controlled)
- Supporting recovery from chronic fatigue and burnout
- Easing symptoms of conditions like IBS, fibromyalgia, or autoimmune challenges
- Improving overall resilience to stress
How Reflexology Supports the Vagus Nerve
Reflexology works by applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to different organs and systems in the body. Certain reflex points are directly linked to areas that influence the vagus nerve, meaning we can help encourage vagal tone and reset your nervous system naturally. Here’s how a reflexology session can support the vagus nerve:
- Solar Plexus Reflex
Located in the centre of each foot on the diaphragm line, this point is known as the “calming button.” Working this reflex can deeply relax the nervous system and activate the vagus nerve, easing stress and anxiety almost instantly.
- Diaphragm Reflex
Found just below the ball of the foot, this point helps with breathing patterns. When stimulated, it can encourage slower, deeper breaths, which in turn send calming signals through the vagus nerve.
- Digestive Reflexes
The vagus nerve plays a huge role in digestion. By working through the reflexes linked to the stomach and intestines (found in the arches of the feet), reflexology helps support healthy gut function and reduces stress-related bloating or discomfort.
Together, these points help to calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and restore balance throughout the whole body.
Other Simple Ways to Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve
Alongside reflexology, you can support your vagus nerve in everyday life with simple, mindful practices like:
- Deep breathing exercises – long exhalations are particularly calming.
- Cold exposure – a splash of cold water on your face or a brisk walk in cool air.
- Gentle humming or chanting – vibrations stimulate the vagus nerve through the throat.
- Mindful movement – yoga, walking in nature, or gentle stretching.
The vagus nerve really is the body’s natural reset button — and reflexology offers a gentle, nurturing way to press it. By calming your nervous system and restoring balance, reflexology can help you feel more grounded, energised, and resilient, no matter what life throws at you. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in stress mode, reflexology could be just the reset your body is asking for. At ABWR, we’d love to welcome you into our calm treatment space here in Chapelton, where you can switch off, recharge, and give your nervous system the care it deserves. Ready to reset and take back control of your nervous system? Book your reflexology appointment online today.