Vagus Nerve 101: How to Calm Your Body, Heal Inflammation, and Stop Living in Survival Mode
Cake For DinnerShow Notes
In this episode, Dr. Lauren DeCicco, Doctor of Physical Therapy and holistic practitioner, breaks down one of the most misunderstood systems in the body: the nervous system. She explains why so many people live chronically in survival mode, how stress shows up as pain, inflammation, gut issues, autoimmune conditions, anxiety, and burnout, and why traditional treatment often misses the root cause. You’ll learn:-what nervous system dysregulation looks and feels like-how trauma and chronic stress get stored in the body-why moms and high achievers are especially vulnerable-the role of the vagus nerve and how to stimulate it-how hormones, menopause, and stress interact-practical tools you can use daily to regulate and heal Dr. Lauren also shares her personal story of divorce, illness, and rebuilding her health by learning to shift her system from survival to safety. If you struggle with anxiety, chronic pain, autoimmune issues, burnout, or you simply feel “wired and tired,” this conversation will make so many things click. Shop at https://hoolest.com/DRLAURENDPT- gives 10% off Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/dr.laurendeciccodpt/Follow Keesha: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscottLearn More: https://keeshascott.com/ 00:00 – Introduction02:45 – Dr. Lauren’s story: divorce, illness, and waking up to nervous system health06:30 – How chronic stress shows up physically in the body09:50 – Do you need big trauma to have a dysregulated nervous system?12:30 – Childhood, attachment, and how regulation is (or isn’t) learned15:00 – What it actually means to be “stuck in survival mode”16:30 – Physical symptoms: tension, jaw clenching, inflammation, gut issues19:30 – Parenting stress and living dysregulated for years21:00 – The vagus nerve explained in simple terms22:30 – What vagus nerve stimulation does in the body24:30 – Practical ways to stimulate the vagus nerve at home28:20 – Triggers, reactivity, and retraining your response patterns33:00 – How stress contributes to autoimmune disease and illness35:30 – Morning and nighttime routines to regulate your nervous system38:30 – Using regulation tools before stressful situations41:00 – Hormones, menopause, and shrinking stress tolerance windows45:00 – How safety in the body unlocks deeper trauma healing47:30 – Where to find Dr. Lauren and how to work with her
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