Accessing the healing power of the vagus nerve: self-help exercises for anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism

A practical guide to understanding the cranial nerves as the key to our psychological and physical wellbeing.

Drawing from the polyvagal theory of Steven Porges, Stanley Rosenberg explains in easy-to-understand terms how the vagus nerve, in particular, has a strong role in determining our psychological and emotional state, especially when it comes to how we relate and react to other people.

By understanding the physiology of the autonomic nervous system and practicing simple exercises to restore proper vagal functioning, we can learn how to improve our emotional state within minutes.