The parasympathetic nervous system is one of the divisions of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions. It works in opposition to the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response.

The parasympathetic nervous system is often referred to as the “rest and digest” system because it promotes relaxation, conservation of energy, and digestion. It is active during periods of rest, relaxation, and non-stressful situations.

The main function of the parasympathetic nervous system is to restore and maintain the body’s internal balance, known as homeostasis. It helps to slow down heart rate, decrease blood pressure, and conserve energy. It also stimulates digestion and the absorption of nutrients, as well as promotes the elimination of waste.

The parasympathetic nervous system is primarily controlled by the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to various organs in the body, including the heart, lungs, digestive system, and reproductive organs. When the vagus nerve is activated, it releases neurotransmitters that promote relaxation, calmness, and a sense of well-being.

Overall, the parasympathetic nervous system plays a crucial role in maintaining the body’s equilibrium and promoting rest, relaxation, and optimal functioning of various bodily systems.

When we engage in slow breathwork, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body’s rest and digest response, which promotes relaxation and a sense of calm.

During slow breathwork, we typically take deep, slow breaths and focus on extending the exhale phase of each breath. This type of breathing stimulates the vagus nerve, the major component of the parasympathetic nervous system. The vagus nerve releases neurotransmitters that help regulate heart rate, promote digestion, and reduce stress and anxiety.

As a result, slow breathwork can lead to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. It can also enhance digestion, improve sleep quality, and promote a general sense of well-being. Overall, slow breathwork helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing us to relax, unwind, and restore our body and mind. I always say this is when we are at our best, we are creative, we feel more, we are capable of all good things.

The sympathetic nervous system is also one of the divisions of the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions. It works in opposition to the parasympathetic nervous system.

Take a look in more detail at the Rest and digest mode and why its so important to have this balance in life.

1. Rest and Digest: The parasympathetic system promotes relaxation and conserves energy. It is responsible for activities such as digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste. It stimulates the release of digestive enzymes and increases blood flow to the digestive organs, promoting optimal digestion and absorption.

2. Slowing Heart Rate: The parasympathetic system decreases heart rate by reducing the rate of electrical impulses and constricting blood vessels in the heart. This helps to conserve energy and maintain a steady heartbeat during restful periods.

3. Lowering Blood Pressure: Activation of the parasympathetic system causes blood vessels to dilate, reducing peripheral resistance and subsequently lowering blood pressure. This helps to maintain a stable blood pressure during relaxation. Hence why heat and healing breath can be good for high blood pressure.

4. Constricting Pupils: The parasympathetic system constricts the pupils of the eyes, which helps to improve near vision and protect the eyes from excessive light.

5. Promoting Salivation: Activation of the parasympathetic system stimulates the production and secretion of saliva, aiding in the initial stages of digestion and facilitating the swallowing process. hence why we sometimes swallow when we are super relaxed.

6. Increasing Gastrointestinal Motility: The parasympathetic system enhances the movement of food through the digestive tract by increasing smooth muscle contractions. This promotes efficient digestion and elimination. This is why gut issues can be related to stress and loving in fight of flight mode.

7. Promoting Sexual Arousal: The parasympathetic system is involved in sexual arousal and reproduction. It triggers the release of nitric oxide, which helps to relax blood vessels in the genital area, leading to increased blood flow and engorgement. When we are relaxed the body and mind is ready for making love we feel more and give more.

These are some of the main functions of the parasympathetic nervous system, which work in harmony with the sympathetic nervous system to maintain overall balance and regulate bodily functions.

The sympathetic nervous system is often referred to as the “fight or flight” system because it prepares the body for action in response to perceived threats or stressors. It is active during periods of excitement, stress, or emergency situations.

The main function of the sympathetic nervous system is to mobilise the body’s resources to deal with a perceived threat or stressor. It prepares the body for action by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate to ensure an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.

When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones trigger a series of physiological responses that help the body respond to the perceived threat. Some of the key functions of the sympathetic nervous system include:

1. Increasing Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: The sympathetic system stimulates the heart to beat faster and harder, increasing heart rate and pumping more blood to the muscles. This helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles for increased strength and endurance. Gets you into a prepared mode and ready for anything mode

2. Dilating Pupils: The sympathetic system dilates the pupils of the eyes, allowing more light to enter and improving vision in preparation for potential danger or heightened alertness.

3. Redistributing Blood Flow: The sympathetic system redirects blood flow away from non-essential organs, such as the digestive system, and towards vital organs, such as the muscles and brain. This ensures that these organs receive an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients during a fight or flight response.

4. Promoting Sweating: The sympathetic system stimulates the production of sweat, which helps to cool the body during periods of increased physical activity or stress.

5. Inhibiting Digestion: Activation of the sympathetic system inhibits digestion by reducing blood flow to the digestive organs and decreasing digestive secretions. This allows the body to conserve energy for immediate survival needs.

6. Mobilising Energy Stores: The sympathetic system triggers the release of glucose from energy stores in the liver and muscles, providing a quick source of energy for the body to use during a fight or flight response. This is why you may have heard that people are literally stronger and cable of running faster than when the blood is not pumping. The old saying, get the blood pumping, means to get to into your sympathetic and feel the energy move throughout your body.

Overall, the sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action, enabling it to respond quickly and effectively to perceived threats or stressful situations. It plays a vital role in survival and the body’s ability to adapt to challenging circumstances.

When we consciously engage in fast circular breathing, it primarily activates the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body’s fight-or-flight response, which prepares us for action and alertness. This is fine in shorts bursts or in a controlled environment ie: with a trained instructor or therapist.

During fast circular breathing, we take rapid and shallow breaths, often without pausing between inhalation and exhalation. This type of breathing increases the rate and depth of our breaths, stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline, and cortisol which increase heart rate, blood pressure, and alertness.

Consciously engaging in fast circular breathing can lead to a range of physiological effects. It can increase oxygen intake and circulation, boost energy levels, and improve mental focus. This type of breathing can also activate the body’s stress response, which may result in heightened arousal, increased muscle tension, and a sense of readiness for physical activity. This is when tetany can occur and the extremities can feel stiff and stuck.

It’s worth noting that while fast circular breathing can be invigorating, it is important to practise it in a controlled and safe manner. It may not be suitable for everyone, especially individuals with certain medical conditions. See our contraindications module for more detail!

Consulting with a healthcare professional or a qualified breathing instructor is recommended before incorporating fast circular breathing into your routine. See our Contraindications module!