The autonomic nervous system (ANS) - the part not subject to our conscious control – is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is responsible for arousal, including the "fight-or-flight" stress response. The ancient Roman physician Galen called it "sympathetic" because he noticed its connection with emotions (sym pathos, meaning shared suffering). The SNS directs blood to the muscles for instant action, including activating the adrenal glands, which release adrenaline to accelerate heart rate and raise blood pressure.
The second part of the ANS is the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which promotes self-preservation functions like digestion and wound healing. It stimulates the release of acetylcholine to reduce arousal, slowing the heart rate, relaxing muscles, and normalizing breathing. When we are exposed to stress, the balance between these systems shifts toward the SNS. This leads to arousal, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping or digesting, and increased anxiety. In these cases, specific practices are needed to help you relax, slow down, rest, and recover.
In this video, I invite you to join me for a somatic practice (somatic exercise) aimed at relaxing the entire body through mindful hand movements and eye relaxation. The hands and eyes occupy a large part of the brain's sensory-motor cortex because we use them more actively than other body parts. When the hands and eyes relax, the whole body relaxes, bringing the nervous system back into balance.
Enjoy your practice!
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