Finding grace in a vagus place

I admit it, I pray daily. I pray furiously and hard. And I pray to continuously evolve into a better version of me. I pray for grace.

It wasn't really my idea at first. After chatting with one of my former coworkers, I vented for a moment about my lack of self efficacy, my frustrations, how I am trying to handle the frequent trials and tribulations of my life. "Oh," she said matter of factly. "Grace. I'll pray for grace for you."

It was like an epiphany. Grace. She's so right. What is grace? Grace is to accept life as it is, humbly, patiently, calmly, accepting it as it is. It is a sense of equanimity.(1) It is the opposite of rage, tears, frustration, blame placing - all of the qualities I loathe but have unfortunately harboring in my heart for a long time. How do I cultivate personal grace, in my heart and mindset? I needed to know more...here is what I discovered: grace is so much more. Grace is in your mind, in your nerves, too. Specifically, grace can be found through meditation and training your vagus nerve.

"What?" you say. "My vagus nerve??" Yes! Your vagus nerve tells your bodily organs to work harder or "chill out" and relax. Specifically, enacting behaviors and mindsets can create a positive cumulative effect linked to stimulating your vagus nerve, assisting with acting with grace.(1)

According to Psychology Today, a "...Healthy vagal tone is indicated by a slight increase of heart rate when you inhale, and a decrease of heart rate when you exhale. Deep diaphragmatic breathing—with a long, slow exhale—is key to stimulating the vagus nerve and slowing heart rate and blood pressure, especially in times of performance anxiety. A higher vagal tone index is linked to physical and psychological well-being. A low vagal tone index is linked to inflammation, negative moods, loneliness, and heart attacks."(1) Furthermore, every single human's vagus nerve serves as the body's command center "...when it comes to having grace under pressure. The autonomic nervous system is comprised of two polar opposite systems that create a complementary tug-of-war which allows your body to maintain homeostasis (inner-stability)." Your heart, lungs, guts are all connected between your vagus nerve and brain.(1) It even tells your lungs to breathe and your heart to pump.(2) Its amazing. You can even train your brain and vagus nerve to better respond to stress through visualization, muscle memory, practice, values, meditation, and more. Here I thought the complex misfiring and electricity in my brain were purely chemical and mental! Perhaps my gut wrenching anxiety prior to public speaking, major decision making, social situations, and major life changes are not all just my internal scars and food intolerances acting up!

Grace is palpable. Grace is chemical. Grace is tied to your vagus nerve and guts and brain. Grace can even be religious. I'm floored. Its time to train my vagus nerve. And pray more.

Read more for yourself in my resources below.

Resources:

(1) Psychology Today. The Neurobiology of Grace Under Pressure. 2 Feb 2013. retrieved from: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201302/the-neurobiology-grace-under-pressure (retrieved 11 Aug 2016)

(2) Mental_Floss. 9 Nervy Facts About the Vagus Nerve. 2 Jul 2015. Retrieved from: http://mentalfloss.com/article/65710/9-nervy-facts-about-vagus-nerve (retrieved 11 Aug 2016.)

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Special thanks to Tanya P. for her prayers re: grace.