Physiological Response to Stress
The sympathetic nervous system (also called the fight or flight reaction) mobilizes to create a pattern of general alarm, arousal, and readiness to operate physically against external threat or dangers to the body. The sympathetic response is triggered instinctively, without conscious direction. In effect it is a reaction, rather than a response.
As well as the physiological reactions psychological reactions of fear, anxiety, or anger are also activated.
The body can live in such a state of extreme mobilization for only a brief period before it needs to relax and regenerate via the parasympathetic response, also called the relaxation response.
The relaxation response can be an antidote to stress. When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated the individual feels calm, peaceful, and alert, and the muscles relax.
Sleep and physical exercise provide some relief from stress. However it appears that some wakeful relaxation procedure – progressive relaxation, meditation, self-hypnosis, psychic visualization, breath release work, to name a few- can be even more stress-relieving than physical exercise or a good night’s sleep. (although such a procedure is not a sleep substitute.)
These alternative methods have one common denominator. They utilize our natural ability to obtain greater control over the autonomic nervous system.