All Episodes

July 23, 2025 7 mins
Ep. 83 Feeling wired but exhausted? Struggling to shut down at night, even when you’re beyond tired? It’s not just in your head; your vagus nerve could be the hidden culprit. In this powerful episode of The Doze Podcast, Certified Sleep Coach Soda Kuczkowski unpacks the science behind the vagus nerve and why it holds the key to deeper, more restorative sleep. Learn how this vital pathway between your brain and body influences stress, digestion, and emotional regulation and most importantly, how it directly impacts your ability to sleep soundly. Discover simple, science-backed tools, from cold exposure and diaphragmatic breathing to sound therapy and aromatherapy that help stimulate your vagus nerve and reset your nervous system naturally. You’ll walk away with actionable steps, sensory-based techniques, and smart tech options you can begin using tonight. Sleep is not just about winding down, it is about tuning in. What’s Inside? How simple techniques such as cold exposure, diaphragmatic breathing, and aromatherapy enhance vagal tone. Ways to engage your five senses to calm your nervous system. Why morning sunlight is critical to balancing your sleep-wake cycle. Notable Quotes: "Think about your vagus nerve as the super highway connecting your brain and your body." "If it's weakened or inactive, you might find yourself stuck in fight or flight mode, making restful sleep nearly impossible." "Deep diaphragmatic breathing sends immediate calming signals to your nervous system." Chapters:  00:00  Introduction to Vagus Nerve Connect to Sleep  01:29  Signs of a Weakened Vagus Nerve  02:23  Techniques to Support Your Vagus Nerve  03:24  Sound, Smell, and Taste Solutions  05:02  Visual Stimulation and Technology Aids  05:51  Action Plan and Final Thoughts  07:01  Additional Support from Start with Sleep Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce

Football’s funniest family duo — Jason Kelce of the Philadelphia Eagles and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs — team up to provide next-level access to life in the league as it unfolds. The two brothers and Super Bowl champions drop weekly insights about the weekly slate of games and share their INSIDE perspectives on trending NFL news and sports headlines. They also endlessly rag on each other as brothers do, chat the latest in pop culture and welcome some very popular and well-known friends to chat with them. Check out new episodes every Wednesday. Follow New Heights on the Wondery App, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free, and get exclusive content on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And join our new membership for a unique fan experience by going to the New Heights YouTube channel now!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.