The Vagus Nerve & Sleep: How Your Nervous System Affects Sleep

What does the vagus nerve have to do with sleep? More than you might think.

In this episode, I’m joined by Amanda Armstrong of Regulated Living to talk about the vagus nerve, nervous system regulation, and the connection between our nervous system and sleep.

We talk about what the vagus nerve actually does, how our nervous system responds to stress, and why regulation can play such an important role in our ability to settle, rest, and sleep.

Amanda also shares practical ways to support nervous system regulation, including breathing, movement, time outside, and creating an environment that is more supportive of our biology. We also talk about why there isn't one magic trick for regulating your nervous system, and why understanding your own body and what helps you feel settled is so important.

And while much of this conversation applies to adults, there's a lot here for parents, too. The way we regulate ourselves can have a direct impact on the people around us, including our children.

This is Part 1 of my conversation with Amanda. In Part 2, we'll dive much more specifically into nervous system regulation with kids, including practical ways parents can support their children—and why our own regulation is such an important part of that process.

Amanda Armstrong is the founder of Regulated Living, a mental health coaching practice focused on anxiety, depression, and nervous system regulation. She is also the author of Healing Through the Vagus Nerve and host of the Regulate and Rewire podcast.