Well+Being Holistic Mental Health
Emotional Health & Wellness Tips From The Therapy Couch And Other Places
Everyone Is Talking About The Vagus Nerve: Why You Should Care, And How To Keep It Healthy
The vagus nerve is so trendy right now, I half expect it to start a TikTok. But seriously—the vagus nerve isn’t just wellness hype. It’s one of the most important parts of your nervous system, acting as a communication superhighway between your brain and body. It helps regulate heart rate, digestion, mood, inflammation, and your ability to calm down after stress. When the vagus nerve is functioning well, it’s easier to feel grounded, present, and emotionally balanced. When it’s not, you might feel anxious, disconnected, or stuck in overdrive. Supporting vagal tone isn’t just about feeling relaxed—it’s about building a more resilient, regulated foundation for your mental and physical health. Of late, my NYC therapy patients are coming to psychotherapy sessions curious about the vagus nerve and interested in exploring ways to improve vagal tone.
If you’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed, burnt out, or like your body is stuck in “survival mode,” you’re not imagining it—and you’re not alone. Many people who come to therapy are dealing with symptoms that don’t always make sense on the surface: racing thoughts, a tight chest, digestive discomfort, irritability, and trouble sleeping. What’s often missing from the conversation is the connection between these symptoms and the state of your nervous system. For many New Yorkers, life moves fast—too fast for the nervous system to fully keep up. Constant noise, crowded commutes, long work hours, and the pressure to always be “on” can leave the body stuck in a chronic state of high alert. Over time, this wears down the vagus nerve’s ability to regulate stress effectively. Instead of shifting back into calm after a busy day or a tough interaction, your body may stay tense, wired, or exhausted. You might notice this as anxiety that never fully quiets down, a gut that’s always acting up, trouble sleeping or feeling emotionally reactive over small things. This kind of vagus nerve dysregulation is common in fast-paced, high-stress environments like NYC—but it’s also something therapy, along with nervous system-informed practices, can help you gently repair.
Amino Acid Therapy To Heal Your Brain & Improve Your Anxiety, Depression, ADHD & More.
Some common reasons people reach out for therapy and counseling is to address their new or longstanding mental health challenges. Symptoms such as anxiety, depression, addiction, insomnia and lack of motivation are often so debilitating that they are unable to live the life they desire. In my experience, psychiatric medications are essential for many, and truly life saving. But for those who have not had success with traditional psychiatry, it’s worth considering the highly-effective natural solutions that are rarely offered in conventional medicine.
Many mental health symptoms are all indications that levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, GABA, and the catecholamines dopamine and norepinephrine (there are more) are low. This is otherwise known as neurotransmitter dysfunction or imbalance. There are four main neurotransmitters involved with mood and behavior, and they are: serotonin, GABA, endorphins and the catecholamines (dopamine/Norepinephrine). The main focus with Amino Acid Therapy in clinical practice is on the serotonin-catecholamine system. Low levels of each of these, lead to a very specific pattern of mental health symptoms. It’s important to know that there are many reasons why brains become depleted and imbalanced, such as, trauma, chronic stress, chronic pain, loss, poor nutrition, addiction, hormonal changes and genetic predisposition, and thankfully, there are effective and powerful ways to restore brain health.
Our bodies need amino acids to work properly, and they are crucial to metabolic function. Some amino acids are made by the body, and others come from your diet. Typically, when you consume a protein, your body breaks it down and what's left is the amino acid. Amino acids are precursors to neurotransmitters, and when these vital messengers are deficient or imbalanced, information is not relayed optimally in the brain, and symptoms arise. Amino acid therapy aims to heal and restore the brain to optimal functioning by supplementing what’s missing based on history, symptoms, behaviors and response to trial treatment.
Essential Oils For A Balanced Life
For nearly two decades, I have received the benefits of essential oils in my health and well-being and at home. I continue learning and refining my understanding of these healing plants and their chemistry, and how they powerfully assist healing and balance. Essential oils can be used for a range of physical and emotional wellness applications, either single oils or complex blends all have an impact at the cellular level. Many integrative therapists and wellness practitioners artfully add aromatherapy to enhance their yoga, ayurvedic or Reiki practice. Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements. I love these oils and use them daily in my life and to enhance my personal yoga practice.
Lifestyle Changes To Reduce Chronic Pain, Inflammation And Depression
Understanding the Link Between Depression, Inflammation, and Mind-Body Healing
As a holistic psychotherapist in New York City, I frequently work with high-functioning professionals, creatives, and individuals navigating emotional and physical symptoms that overlap. Many clients come to therapy reporting concerns such as fatigue, low energy, insomnia, body aches, loss of interest in daily activities, reduced libido, social withdrawal, and appetite changes.
While these symptoms often resemble depression, the underlying cause isn’t always psychological. Chronic inflammation and physiological stress can also manifest as mood changes and emotional distress. At Holistic Psychotherapy & Wellness NY, I take an integrative approach—helping clients address emotional pain while exploring contributing physical and lifestyle factors.
What Is the Connection Between Depression and Inflammation?
Emerging research reveals a strong, bidirectional relationship between inflammation and depression. According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, chronic inflammation can contribute to depressive symptoms—and depression itself may activate inflammatory processes in the body.
Inflammation plays a role in several chronic health conditions, including:
Type 2 diabetes
Cardiovascular disease
Metabolic syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Multiple sclerosis
Asthma
Psoriasis
Chronic pain syndromes
These conditions are also associated with an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
What Causes Chronic Inflammation?
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, trauma, or infection. However, when inflammation becomes chronic or systemic, it can create a cascade of physical and emotional health problems. Contributing factors include:
Chronic stress and elevated cortisol
Poor diet and blood sugar instability
Hormonal imbalances
Food allergies and intolerances
Environmental toxins
Hidden infections
Sleep deprivation
Over- or under-exercising
If you experience persistent depressive symptoms, pain, or fatigue—and lab markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) are elevated—it may be time to address inflammation as part of your wellness plan.