Rest.

It is Biblical if you didn't already know. It comes in various forms and it is the art of stopping to notice your next breath, napping, sitting for a spell, or intentionally engaging in activity that can reset and restore your whole system. As a clinician, I often tell clients that rest can also mean a diversion from your worry or a break from what continues to run around in your mind.

A pause. A stop. A momentary (or month-long) getaway.

If you only have 2 more minutes to read, skip to the bottom for some ideas to rest your system and restore your nervous system. If you have five minutes to learn something more about your creation and your path to wellness, keep reading!

The Lord proclaims, I will go with you and give you rest (Exodus 33:12-14).

And if you aren't sure it is Holy to do so yourself, just remember what God did in Genesis 2:2-3 when his most important work (then, now, and forever) was done. He rested.

Creator: Daniel de la Hoz | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Not only do you need to rest to refresh, reset, and restore, but your families and children need rest too. Not only do they need rest, but they will benefit from yours.

The body has a superhighway called the vagus nerve (thousands of fibers) and it carries information between the brain (from the brain stem) and all of the internal organs. You can read more in The Polyvagal Theory by Stephen W. Porges.

This nerve controls the body's response in times of rest and relaxation. When overstimulated, everything might feel off (remember it effects ALL of the organs including your brain and your heart). Sometimes stomach upset, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, pain in the neck, mood issues, and lowered immunity, are signs of vagus nerve overstimulation.

If you endure daily stress, lack of quality sleep, GI upset, or brain fog, you should keep reading! Though symptoms of an overstimulated vagus nerve are unpleasant, the vagus nerve also helps things like diabetes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood regulation, proper digestion, anxiety, and so on.

The vagus nerve is the longest of the 12 cranial nerves and looks, in my active imagination, like a tree full of limbs that all stretch out to interact with other parts of the body.

In Latin, the word means "wandering" and the nerve does wander throughout the body.

Genesis 2:9 introduces the Tree of Life as one of the two trees in the Garden of Eden. Eden is welcome to eat from the tree to nourish her mind, spirit, and body. Coincidence? Very probably not, because if both rest and creation are Biblical, then the intricately designed vagus nerve is a perfectly designed part of our wellness system as well. Notably, the other tree was not to be eaten from. He warned that it was poison and would do no good, but only bring hurt and harm.

What do you think of them apples? (distasteful joke? Ha! I can't stop....see what I did there with yucky tasting poison apples? Distasteful! Lol.)

Okay, stay with me....

The good news about this good tree and this good body design? There are many ways to calm the vagus nerve. Listed are a few suggestions and a few resources I have collected over time. I know that reading and learning are both restorative to my vagus nerve and since you are reading what I am writing, I believe that we share that one in common!

Wellness is important to me; not only mine, but yours also!

Here is my list. It is not complete. It is not all there is. These are ideas and things that have worked for me and my loved ones, but I do not endorse or guarantee any of the products I have listed here (though I am pretty sure you will love them!):

• Reading. My personal favorite is the Bible, but I also love a great Charles Martin story as well. This is a favorite Bible of mine and Charles Martin has too many favorites for me to list!

• Singing and Humming, or listening to a favorite playlist with or without lyrics.

• Cooking and eating, mindfully so you can taste what is nourishing your body.

• Massage. Massaging my own feet is the quickest way to relaxation for me. This gadget allows you to get a foot massage without worrying about your outdated pedicure or dry winter heels.

• Exercise that is brisk, but not over-exerting. Walking is the ticket for me and with the cold winter mornings, this indoor (space-saving and lightweight) walking and jogging pad is a must!

• Connection and Fellowship with others is a wonderful way to ease your worries and calm you.

• Fidgets, squishies (textures), and other handheld toys or manipulatives.

• Weighted blankets, eye masks, or lap covers that apply light pressure to calm the nervous system. This one is one of many weighted blankets that is cozy and soft!

• Petting our furry friends is a great way to regulate and calm ourselves.

• Laughter is great "medicine" and releases all the good stuff in our bodies.

• Deep breathing (probably the top of the list for working with the vagus nerve!), meditation, yoga, stretching, and mindfulness practices.

I have so much more to share, but that is all for now. I am long winded, but we are all short on time! I am glad you stopped to read this post. Put a check in your box for creating a healthier you today!

Well done and be well!

Dr. Getz