We love Gus!
It's the name we give the Vagus Nerve for our smalls in our information we share and on our videos.
With Lavenderbuddy ,it guides the smalls alongside touch, breath and scent to activate it and let it balance after things have upset them.
This may not seem like a big thing so young, but long term it stops the Vagal Tone imbalance and leaving the nervous system stuck in Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn, Flop, which leads to so many other things arising for them.
Using the Lavenderbuddy as a Tool to support GUS, is like having a friend to co-regulate this system when:
1. An adult is not there to support, for many reasons.
2. Caused from a trusted adult who's own dysregulated behaviour came out to play and the small loses trust in them.
3. To learn our smalls an important skill of balancing this system within the body by themselves independently.
All this from a wee purple teddy bear and works silently in the background!
Amazing isn't it!
The Vagal Brake is a term that refers to the ability of the Vagus nerve to slow down the heart rate and blood pressure in response to stress or danger. The Vagus nerve is a long and complex nerve that connects the brain to various organs.
We have also shown that Gus" runs through our Chakras and corresponding organs benefit from clearing the old energy from them that has ran through or got stuck, (BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE SMALL, COLOURED CIRCLES ARE EASIER TO UNDERSTAND THAN ANATOMICAL NAMES OF ORGANS NONE OF US CAN SEE!!)
The Vagus nerve is part of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary functions like breathing, digestion, and heartbeat.
The Vagus nerve has two branches: the Dorsal and the Ventral. The Dorsal branch is responsible for the “freeze” response, which is a state of immobility and dissociation when faced with a life-threatening situation.
The ventral branch is responsible for the "social engagement" system, which is a state of safety, connection and communication with others. The Vagal Brake is activated by the Ventral Branch of the Vagus nerve, which acts as a brake on the sympathetic nervous system, which is the “Fight or Flight” response. The sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action by increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate, and releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.
The vagal brake can quickly reduce these effects by sending signals to the heart to slow down and relax. This helps the body return to a state of calm and balance after a stressful event. The vagal brake is important for our health and well-being, as it can help us cope with stress, anxiety, fear, and trauma.
A strong vagal brake means that we have a high vagal tone, which is a measure of the activity of the Vagus Nerve.
A High Vagal Tone, is associated with increased sense of safety, compassion, and social openness around others.
A Low Vagal Tone on the other hand, is associated with increased anxiety, fear and isolation.
Now we have the smalls and the science covered, I have recently use a device for myself and for small on a daily basis and it might make sense for you, to feel and experience when your tone is not at it's best, how to balance it when sitting watching Tv, cooking dinner or relaxing before sleep.
A Tens machine with a double ear clip.....30 minutes of Bliss and no brain power needed!
Game changer for everyone over here in Lavandula HQ and does not involve Cold Plunges, Meditation, Breathwork, Humming, Gargling or Movement.
These are all so supportive of the Vagus nerve but some days when your Tone is out of whack, these may not feel like the best option.
The double ear clip saves us from using the sticky pads and getting the placement right.
* only to be used on the LEFT EAR as the right ear has the nerve to your heart and we don't want to mess about with that as novices or without professional advice*
Stimulating the Vagus Nerve is a technique that can help with various health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, inflammation, and pain.
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine, which delivers a gentle electrical current to the nerve through electrodes attached to the skin. Here are some steps on how to use a TENS machine for Vagus nerve stimulation:
First, you need to prepare the TENS machine by making sure it is charged or has fresh batteries. Attach the electrodes to the machine and connect the wires to the electrodes1.
Next, you need to place the electrodes on the right spots. There are three options for this:
You can place a double electrode on the tragus of your left ear, which is the small flap of cartilage near the ear canal.
Or use a single ear clip and an electrode pad on the skin behind your left shoulder;.
Or you can place both electrodes on your neck, one on each side of your throat, just below the jawline.(we would advise to just use the left at present)
Make sure the electrodes are clean and secure, and use some gel or water to moisten them if needed.
Then, you need to turn on the TENS machine and choose the right settings.
You can use the normal or conventional mode, and set the pulse width to 200 microseconds and the frequency to 15 to 30 Hz2. Start with a low intensity and gradually increase it until you feel a tingling sensation, but not pain or discomfort. You can adjust the settings as needed to find the optimal level for you.
Finally, you need to use the TENS machine for the recommended duration and frequency. You can use it for 15 to 30 minutes daily for two weeks or however long you feel
You can also use it as needed for acute symptoms, such as a headache or a panic attack. You should notice some benefits after a few sessions, such as improved mood, reduced stress, better digestion, and less pain.
Hope you have enjoyed what we shared as another support that we have tried, that has had benefits for us!