23/08/2025
The Healing Power of Silence for the Vagus Nerve
In our noisy, fast-paced world, silence often feels rare but it’s one of the simplest ways to support your nervous system.
The vagus nerve, a key player in the body’s parasympathetic “rest and digest” response, thrives on moments of stillness.
When we’re surrounded by constant stimulation—notifications, conversations, traffic—the vagus nerve stays on alert.
This can keep the body stuck in stress mode, tightening muscles, quickening the breath and draining energy. Silence, on the other hand, invites the vagus nerve to reset.
In quiet moments, the breath naturally slows, heart rate steadies and tension begins to release. Research shows that silence can lower blood pressure, ease anxiety, and boost heart rate variability—an important marker of vagal tone. It’s as if the nervous system finally gets permission to exhale.
Practicing silence doesn’t have to mean long meditations or retreats. Even two minutes of stillness—turning off music, sitting without your phone or walking in nature—can strengthen vagal regulation and restore balance.
By giving yourself pockets of silence, you’re not just resting your mind—you’re nourishing one of the body’s most powerful healing pathways.
These photos were taken at Overbeck’s National Trust in Salcombe.
