Ep #105: Anxiety & Your Vagus Nerve in Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr. Navaz Habib

Andrea Donsky, nutritionist, Menopause Researcher, Menopause Educator, and co-founder of Morphus, interviews Dr. Navaz Habib about the importance of understanding vagus nerve dysfunction and how to fix it to enjoy less anxiety in perimenopause and menopause. Dr. Habib is a Chiropractor and Functional Medicine practitioner, the host of the Health Upgraded Podcast, and the Author of two books on the Vagus Nerve.Signs & Symptoms Survey https://forms.gle/Tw6vyp3cKoDp3CuZA Anxiety Survey https://forms.gle/mcWWkX7xwDb1ci6R7 Morphus Sleepus https://bit.ly/3Q1SQvW What is the vagus nerve? The control point for our body's rest, digestion, and recovery functions.The difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.The impact of adrenals, microbiome, hormonal regulation, and the immune system on this system.What causes the vagus nerve to "break down"?What we can do to help relax ourselves, handle stress, and reduce depression and anxietyWe look at the root causes of stress and the different types of stress, including physical, biochemical, and psychological stress. Functional testing is key to identifying biochemical stressors.The importance of self-compassion, self-forgiveness, and mindset.How do we know if our vagus nerve is or isn't working well?Understanding heart rate, heart rate recovery, and heart rate variability. Understanding how to use wearable technology for health tracking effectively.Things you can do to stimulate your vagus nerve with exercises like breathing techniques, vocalizing mantras, humming, gargling, and singing.How a feeling of safety affects the vagus nerveActionable Tips:- Practice conscious breathing: belly breaths with longer exhales than inhales- Use mantras to manage stress and anxiety- Monitor HRV trends with wearable devices, aiming for personal improvement- Measure heart rate recovery after workoutsSigns & Symptoms Survey https://forms.gle/Tw6vyp3cKoDp3CuZA Anxiety Survey https://forms.gle/mcWWkX7xwDb1ci6R7 Morphus Sleepus https://bit.ly/3Q1SQvW Dr. Navaz Habib's Books https://amzn.to/4bk6Jwy Health Upgrade Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-upgrade-podcast/id1540349524 Vagus Nerve and Heart Rate Variability in Perimenopause and Menopause with Dr. Navaz Habib https://youtu.be/rf3g_hxHNU4 The Kindness Method by Shahroo Izadi https://amzn.to/3zgomQh Apollo LinkTruvega https://www.truvaga.com/ Strategies to help you naturally cope with stress https://youtu.be/X65fWC-gDQE Send us Fan Mail ======Morphus: Menopause Reimagined💊 Shop Morphus Supplements: https://wearemorphus.com/collections/all📖 Order "Nourishing Menopause: Powerful Nutrition & Lifestyle Strategies to Feel Your Best." (Simon & Schuster, May 5, 2026)Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4xaREJK Amazon US: https://amzn.to/4rFj7jk 📰 As seen in USA Today: https://bit.ly/43nrMwO  ✅ Fill out our surveys: https://bit.ly/4jcVuLh🦋 SUBSCRIBE to our list: https://bit.ly/3VdDA0VFOLLOW US: TikTok @andreadonsky & @wearemorphusInstagram: @wearemorphus | @andreadonskyFacebook: /wearemorphusDISCLAIMER: This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider. This podcast contains affiliate links; Morphus may earn a commission. Thank you for your support.