Dear Reader,

I've been humming a lot lately. Humming is actually connected to happiness, so let's have a look at that.

Nervous systems

Hmmm hmm hmmmm... and if you want to guess, yes, that's Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford and Sons. I've been humming that a lot lately. Fullheartedly. Humming makes happy, and that's why when I hum I enjoy it. I used to do it very silently, secretly, not wanting to be that crazy humming person. But nowadays, when I hum, I'm in a good mood, smiling at people who smile back and don't seem to think I'm crazy, just in a good mood.

Indeed, humming stimulates the vagus nerve. What is that again? Remember the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems? Well, the sympathetic is the one that is engaged when we're stressed. It helps us tense up and get us into the fight-or-flight mode. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the opposite. It helps us relax, open up for opportunities, and fosters the rest-and-digest mode. The vagus nerve plays a huge role in the parasympathetic nervous system. It runs across our body from head to heart to stomach and colon (remember: rest and DIGEST).

Vagus nerve and happiness

Happiness is not equal to relaxation. Excitement, being able to face and process negative emotions of threat and the ability to return to the parasympathetic nervous system are important aspects of happiness, in my opinion. I don't see happiness as just blissfully enjoying EVERYTHING and always being super chilled. There are threats and dangers, wants and desires, and life brings challenges. However, being able to get to the relaxed state after life threw some stuff at us holds happiness in itself. The relaxed state lets us open up, connect, play, tap into creativity, release, see opportunities and understand abundance. It holds most of the aspects we connect with happiness. So, having the power to get to that state is high on the list if you want to be happier.

Since the vagus nerve is such a key player in the parasympathetic nervous system, it seems fair to link it to happiness. Being able to stimulate that nerve and get out of the fight-or-flight stress mode seems to be a strong skill for a happy life. The question is now - how do we stimulate that nerve?

Humming and happiness

Yes, we are back at humming. You guessed right if you think that humming activates the vagus nerve. Singing does, too. As does breathing slowly (a bit longer out than in) and a few other things. We often hum when we are in a good mood, aka already happy. But try to hum when you feel like it, and not only when you are happy. I can't force it. There are stressful times when I can't get myself to hum. I try a bit, but it doesn't flow. I then usually choose breathing as a relaxation method. But when you feel like humming, go for it, fullheartedly! It means you are happy and relaxed. Enjoy it.

Hmmm hmm hmmmm hm ;-)

Have a happy week!

Anja