The Vagus Nerve

Created by Khyati shah

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky.

Conscious breathing is my anchor.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

The parasympathetic nervous system is the very beloved ‘rest and digest’ responder in our bodies, taking care of us when we’re stressed. It’s job is to bring the body back to homeostasis and maintain the everyday regular responses in the body like digestion, activating metabolism, and helping the body relax.

The vagus nerve is the largest nerve in this system, and is responsible for the regulation of internal organ functions, like digestion, heart rate, and respiratory rate. It connects all the vital organs to the brain and allows them to communicate with it and vice-versa.

Taking conscious deep breaths when you’re stressed or anxious allows the lungs to activate a parasympathetic response in the body, like telling your mind through the vagus nerve that all is well and you may relax. Learning about this one day immediately took me back to school when we were taught that breathing is an involuntary action, something you don’t control. But that is not entirely true turns out. We can control our breathing, and with it our well being, just by taking conscious breaths at every other point in the day, allowing us to slow down and rest ourselves.

The artwork is a visual representation of the parasympathetic nervous system and animates the communication of breaths with the rest of the body through the vagus nerve. It’s an expression of the realization, that no matter what chaos you find yourself in, take those few moments, pause to breathe, and come to realize, maybe even celebrate, that you are alive.