Autonomic Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System
What is the Sympathetic Nervous System?
The sympathetic nervous system is a part of your body that helps you deal with danger or stress. It’s like an alarm system that gets your body ready to act fast. When you're scared or in trouble, it makes your heart beat faster, helps you breathe quicker, and sends more energy to your muscles. This is called the "fight or flight" response.
It’s important to know about it because it shows how your body reacts when you’re stressed. If your body stays in this “alarm mode” too long, it can make you feel tired, worried, or even sick.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
What is the Parasympathetic Nervous System?
The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of your body that helps you calm down and rest. After you’ve been scared, stressed, or busy, this system helps your body slow down. It makes your heart beat slower, helps you breathe gently, and helps your stomach digest food. That’s why it’s called the “rest and digest” system.
It’s important to know about because it helps your body relax and stay healthy. If you don’t take time to rest, your body can feel tired, stressed, or unwell. Being aware of this system helps you understand why sleep, calm breathing, and quiet time are good for you.
How much time would you say you are in fight or flight versus rest and digest mode? Adding even small amounts of time each day to focus on the rest and digest system is important.