The Autonomic Nervous System

As the control center of the body, The Autonomic Nervous System is one of the most vital systems in the human body. It is responsible for the proper function of two main responses: 1) voluntary conscious responses activated by muscles, and 2) involuntary responses not under our control, such as breathing, sweating, digestion, etc.

Meditation Pumps the Breaks

It is the Sympathetic Nervous System that is affected the most by anxiety, tension, fatigue and depression, and experts have proven that meditation alone can dramatically reduce the many negative effects brought about by these emotions. It helps us “take our foot off the gas”. By activating the Parasympathetic Nervous System, meditation slows down our heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, sweating, and sooths all other sympathetic nervous system fight or flight functions. It helps us “rest and digest”.

Do We Need to Be On Hyper Alert?

In truth, there are very few real times, other than a true emergency, that we really need our Sympathetic Nervous System’s “fight or flight” responses which our ancient hunter gatherer ancestors needed for daily survival. Much of modern society’s endless anxiety is self-created. It is not necessary to constantly be in survival mode, looking for saber toothed tigers. Meditation is the key to restore our genetic right to a quiet, focused, and peaceful mind, the only environment for true happiness.

Meditation Creates Responses For a Relaxed State

Meditation enhances breathing, increases oxygen uptake, improves nutrient flow, and improves circulation. When you are stressed, tense, and anxious, your blood’s lactate level increases, which can lead to an array of problems. These levels are greatly reduced during meditation much more quickly and effectively than with medicine or other methods.

Train to Maintain

According to the world famous author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, Dr. Joan Borysenko, meditation teaches us just how important it is to regularly activate our body’s natural “relaxation response” – training our minds through meditation so that stress responses simply cannot take over, perpetually maintaining our mental/emotional health and general well-being.