Glossary
Meditation & Mindfulness Glossary
This glossary answers, in one plain sentence each, what mindfulness, body scan, yoga nidra, NSDR, meditation, and the vagus nerve actually mean — no jargon, with links to deeper reading where it exists.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of paying deliberate, non-judgmental attention to what's happening in the present moment — your thoughts, body sensations, and surroundings — rather than on autopilot or lost in rumination. It's a trainable skill, not a personality trait, typically built through short, repeated practice rather than one long session.
How mindfulness applies to relationship problems →Body Scan
A body scan is a guided meditation technique where you move attention slowly through each part of the body, from feet to head (or reverse), noticing sensation without trying to change it. It's commonly used to release physical tension, interrupt anxious thought loops, and build interoceptive awareness — the ability to sense what's happening inside your own body.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra ('yogic sleep') is a structured guided-relaxation practice done lying down, moving attention systematically through the body and breath while staying just short of falling asleep. It's used for deep physical rest and stress-recovery, distinct from active yoga postures — no movement is involved, only guided attention.
NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest)
NSDR is a modern umbrella term (popularized by neuroscientist Andrew Huberman) for guided-relaxation protocols — including yoga nidra and body scans — that produce measurable rest and recovery without requiring actual sleep. It's used to lower physiological arousal, improve focus afterward, and offer a rest option when a full nap isn't practical.
Meditation (Definition)
Meditation is a family of mental training practices that deliberately regulate attention and awareness — commonly through a focus point (breath, sound, body), open monitoring of thoughts, or guided reflection — to reduce reactivity and increase present-moment clarity. There isn't one single technique; meditation is the umbrella category, not a single method.
What meditation does in the brain →Vagus Nerve
The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve, running from the brainstem through the neck and chest to the abdomen, and is the primary channel of the parasympathetic ('rest and digest') nervous system. Practices like slow breathing and humming are commonly described as 'vagal toning' because they can shift the body toward a calmer physiological state.
The vagus nerve, explained →