In this episode, my special guest Christine McGinnis dives into the importance of honoring the different phases of life, from puberty and pregnancy to postpartum and perimenopause…Discussing the vital role of support, self-care, and acknowledging the body’s incredible resilience during these transitions. Christine shares insights into the emotional and physical challenges of perimenopause and menopause, including the impact of hormonal shifts, like migraines. We also explore practical self-care tools, such as reflexology, breathing exercises, and setting healthy boundaries.

Christine highlights how small, consistent practices can help track progress and stay motivated. Ultimately, encouraging listeners to embrace the complexity of their bodies and view new symptoms as opportunities for deeper healing.

The vagus nerve is like the superhighway between your brain and body and aids in regulating digestion, heart rate, breathing, and ones ability to feel calm and relaxed.

When the vagus nerve is overstimulated, one may feel like the body is stuck or in survival mode (think about how the body feels when anxious or agitated).

Common symptoms may include:

• Racing heart or chest tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Digestive issues like nausea or bloating
• Brain Fog
• Feeling wired yet tired
• Tension in the muscles or jaw
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears

If you’ve been feeling any of the above, it may be a sign that your vagus nerve is in need of some gentle calming…see the below exercise to get started.

Safe-Hold for Comfort and Calm

1. Place your legs up on a wall with your back flat on the floor
2. Place your right hand under your left armpit and your left hand coming across your heart and hugging your right arm.
3. Adding a gentle hum can stimulate the vagus nerve, helping you to feel more relaxed and calm.