Why slowing down is difficult (and what to do about it) - part 1

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is the branch of the nervous system that regulates involuntary physiologic processes, such as digestion, blood pressure, heart rate and respiration rate.

When the sympathetic branch of the ANS is aroused, it puts you on high alert (fight/flight response). This enables automatic fast responses ensuring survival. When the parasympathetic branch is activated it produces a feeling of calm and relaxation.

These two systems work together. When in harmony they switch gears beautifully and precisely to meet the demands of each day.

Unfortunately, many of us are living in a state of hyperarousal, overworking and in sensory overload. This puts the ANS in a state of imbalance.
Increasingly living in a chronic fight and flight state, even though there isn’t immediate threat around. This feeling of immediate threat is often exacerbated by the media’s negative distorted messages.

For these and other reasons, such as unresolved trauma, the parasympathetic branch (the branch responsible for rest) is often underactive.

It’s important to note, that for many people slowing down can feel like a threat in itself. Feeling like they are lowering their guard. For these people slowing down can bring up uneasiness and a sense of anxiety. This is a natural response if you have been living in a state of chronic stress and/or have unresolved trauma.

In the next post I will be sharing suggestions to stimulate the parasympathetic branch of the ANS, to invite more regulation to your system.