At Flourish!, the vagus nerve is the connector between our treatment models in psychotherapy and our nutritional services and programs. By working with clients to develop vagal tone so they can regulate their cognitive, emotional and social behavior response they can accept the body’s anxious response—rather than resist it—ensuring healthy communication and processing during stressful times. Eating the right foods to ensure healthy digestion and elimination also plays a big role in developing vagal tone.

The body not only keeps the score but it also keeps a calendar. My entire body knew an anniversary of a terrifying event was coming up and this anniversary was approaching at a time when there were several stressors happening in my life. My internal protectors knew before I did that I did not have the strength or capacity to be with all I was holding and, thankfully, dropped my nervous system in a dorsal vagal state so I could get by on the bare minimum until I had more capacity on board to deal with all the things that were happening in the here and now.

Hydration is key to whole body wellness and many Americans are severely dehydrated. Staying hydrated is essential for overall wellness. Proper hydration helps the body to regulate and maintain many of the body's functions.
Dehydration can affect the autonomic nervous system, pushing it towards sympathetic dominance. In this blog post, we'll share tips to improve your hydration quantity and quality.

Making an effort to improve your sleep quality can have big payoffs including elevated and balanced mood and sustainable energy and strength throughout the day. Here are some keys to restful sleep:

Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening

Establish a consistent sleep schedule

Wind down with relaxing activities

Take a break from blue lights

Sleep in a dark, cold, quiet room

Expose your eyes to sunlight when you wake up in the morning

This delightful and nutritious gluten-free and dairy-free parfait recipe is from The Essential Thyroid Cookbook by Lisa Markey and Jill Grunewald-McLaughlin. Each parfait is packed with nutrients like B6, magnesium, and fiber. These are great for breakfast or as a healthy summer snack, especially on the 4th of July. Ingredients include berries, nuts, dates, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla.

Social health refers to the quality of our relationships and our sense of community. It's more than just having friends or family; it's about feeling connected, supported, and valued in meaningful ways. Social connectedness is essential for our emotional and psychological well-being, and it can also significantly impact physical health. Research shows that these connections are not merely beneficial but are as essential as other basic needs.