The Nervous System, known as the control center of the body, is one of the most vital systems in the human body. It is responsible for the proper function of two main responses: voluntary conscious responses activated by muscles; involuntary responses not under our control, such as breathing, sweating, digestion, etc.
It is the involuntary functions that are affected the most by anxiety, tension, fatigue and depression, and experts have proven that meditation can reduce the negative affects on our nervous system brought about by these emotions. Meditation stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system to soothe our minds and bodies, preventing an attack from our sympathetic nervous system.
The Sympathetic Nervous System promotes a hardcore fight-back response to stress, which increases heart rate, breathing rate, blood flow, sweating, blood pressure, etc. The Parasympathetic Nervous System is responsible for the regular, calm, mild tones of our senses in the absence of an emergency. Meditation reduces activity in the Sympathetic Nervous System while providing ample energy to the Parasympathetic Nervous System responsible for calming us. With proper meditation the body will experience enhanced breathing and increase in the oxygen and nutrients to the various parts of the body, due to better circulation and blood flow.
The blood sees an increase in lactate, a substance produced by the metabolism, during anxiety and tension. These levels are reduced with meditation much faster than with medicine or other relaxation methods. Meditation creates a complexity of responses that marks a highly relaxed state. According to the world famous author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind, Dr. Borysenko, meditation teaches us to access the response of relaxation - keeping our minds alert so that stress responses don't take over, disturbing our health and mental and emotional well-being.
Meditation positively alters the interaction within the nervous system to relax us, and it teaches us to control stress whenever and wherever it arises. In this way, meditation keeps us calm and alert and lowers stress-related health risks. Everyone can benefit from meditation. Start today.
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