The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is commonly known as the calming response. The PNS, along with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), collectively form your autonomic nervous system (ANS).
In healthy people the two parts of the autonomic nervous system work synergistically to ensure optimal functioning of your body. The PNS is the most dynamic part and tends to respond more quickly than the SNS.
For example when confronted with a stressor the PNS decreases in activity which allows the SNS to dominate. This activates the so called stress response (“fright, fight or flight”). When the stressor has passed the PNS increases in activity and calms the body restoring it to its normally balanced state. Consequently the PNS is commonly called the calming or relaxation response.
Consequently people with lower levels of the calming response take longer to recover and therefore are more vulnerable to stress.
Not surprisingly, research shows that people with higher levels of the calming response are more resilient, stress tolerant and are able to perform under pressure. These are just some of the many benefits associated with the calming response.
Interestingly effective stress management techniques like exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, talking to friends and Resilience Builder™ all increase your levels of the calming response.
INCREASING YOUR LEVELS of the calming response is the key to building resilience.
