I'm Melanie Weller,

In grade school, my choir teacher asked me to mouth the words during performances because I sang too loud and off key. I never even told my parents because I was afraid I’d not look perfect.

When I grew up and became a military wife, I continued to be careful about the words I used for 20 years.

Like so many, I learned to silence my voice at a young age. I lived that way for years. Maybe you have too?

It’s no surprise, then, that I’ve spent decades learning the language of the vagus nerve—the nerve that helps key areas of our body, including our vocal cords, function well. Running from brainstem to pelvis, the vagus nerve gives voice to what’s happening in our bodies and points to the story playing out inside of it.

I often describe the vagus nerve as a bridge between your story and your body: When your story is about stress and trauma, your vagus nerve function is dialled down. When your story is gratitude and pleasure, your vagus nerve function improves.

Research overwhelmingly shows that when your vagus nerve is functioning well, you not only feel better, but you’re also healthier. You’re more grounded, confident, embody more grace under pressure, and perform better in all areas of your life.

Beyond that, the neuroscience of storytelling is extraordinary and we need to be leveraging it for better health.