The autonomic nervous system is a neural network which regulates those bodily activities which engage without our conscious input. Heart rate, breathing and metabolism are just some of our daily life-preserving operations which function within the purview of this vital governing system. It has two arms, the sympathetic nervous system which oversees the ‘fight or flight’ response customarily switched on to protect us when we encounter any perilous situation threatening our safety, and the parasympathetic component which function as a ‘rest and repair’ outfit essentially designed to heal and regenerate our resources maintaining our wellbeing once the danger has been eliminated. Cast your mind back to the bizarre incident at the Washington Hilton when the would-be assassin stormed past the security detail who immediately brandished their weapons in sympathetic overdrive followed by a press conference conducted a while later with the President at the lectern reassuring the still hyperactivated press corps with befuddled composure in parasympathetic poise.
As the diagram below illustrates if the sympathetic system is constantly activated, conflicts, both life threatening and for those of lucky enough not to be located in a war zone, emotionally derailing, can compromise all those processes that look after our bodies as we age. Stem cells which replace ageing bodily parts, mitochondria which energize us, autophagy, the elimination of cellular junk and genetic integrity, to name just a few of the key drivers of healthy ageing identified in this illustration break down and ageing ensues.
Aside from unremitting physical, mental and emotional stress with constant salvos of fear, anxiety and anger, high-carb foods, nicotine and caffeine set off the sympathetic nervous system. Deep breathing with longer exhales, meditation, cold showers and playing with pets are some of the practices that can activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
