Why do we so often find it so hard to switch off and relax? What is it that makes us feel tense and twitchy just when we need to sleep or recover from all that hard work and stress? It seems that our own bodies are working against us at times - and in a way, they sometimes are.
As part of our neural equipment, the autonomic nervous system, which controls organs such as the heart, stomach and intestines, is made up of two even more specialised sections. These are the sympathetic nervous system, which sounds friendly but is actually what causes us to become tense in times of danger, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls relaxation. The PNS causes your blood pressure to decrease, your heart to beat slower, and makes digestion easier. It sounds like a neat trick, but the trouble is that this auto-relaxer operates involuntarily, as an unconscious process - almost as if it has a mind of its own.
So, relaxing isn't just what happens when we're not tense, but is in fact a separate, active process. It's like what happens when you're driving a car and you take your foot off the accelerator - the car may slow down or not, depending on the slope of the road, but if you actually want to stop, you have to hit the brakes. That might explain why I've sometimes spent an evening sitting around doing very little but I haven't really felt more relaxed as a result - just leaving a gap in your activity isn't the same as actually relaxing.
So how does the parasympathetic nervous system work? Basically like all nervous activity: a mix of electrical and chemical messages brings a signal that tells the system to do something. In this case, it instructs specific muscles to let go and relax. It sounds simple, doesn't it? All we have to do is tell ourselves to relax and we have a little system that will make it happen. So why cant we then?
Well heres why. Firstly we must remember that stress originates in the mind so the PNS is half of the picture, stress it is a product of arousal in certain brain centers. The brain is made up of three main areas, the reptilian brain (our most ancient part), the limbic system and the frontal brain or neocortex.
It is in the first two that the action takes place with regards to stress. This is the famous 'fight or flight' area that is very primitive in it's nature. These two areas contain the glands and structures that react to stress and fear and fire us up and then keep us aroused. These main glands are the thalamus and the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland all of which are located in the limbic system.
In the reptilian brain, at the rear, is a small structure known as the 'locus ceruleus' which is also part of the brains stress response equipment. Further into the body itself are the adrenal glands which fire cortisol and adrenaline into your body when the afore mentioned structures notice stress looming. So in order to really reach a deep level of relaxation where our stress really is 'turned off' we have to switch off these structures somehow. How that is done is by simple visualization exercises that take you way past the superficial level of calmness that the traditional techniques do. You can literally learn to 'shut down' your minds stress centers at will. To know that this is possible when one is undergoing a stressful or anxious filled period in life can be extremely comforting and empowering. It is best to do the technique twice a day, once in the morning and once at night for maximum results.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Out of State Warrent want to clean up.
By: 68Scot | 02-09-2008
I was arrested on a business trip several years ago and to avoid missing a flight home I plead guilty to DWI to avoid any future time in jail. I never complied with the punishhment since I live out of State and the charges never showed up. I now have a warrent out in the State I was arrested in (California) and want to clear this mess up. I do not have money to fly back and forth and turn myself in what should I do.
Help with White Coat Syndrome
By: Theresa Torchio | 01-09-2008
I am a 72 year old female with HBP when I leave the house to go to the Doctors I can feel my tension begin to build up, I have tried everything I cry I sing I yell just get my mind off this visit,Is the Doctor nice? Yes is the visit pleasant Yes, But as soon as that cuff gets near me, its all over we are talking Bad like 189/100, Do I have headaches No,do I get dizzy No am I emotional Yes I just recently went in to the hospital for a catherzation, to get my heart racing, that was corrected, the whole time I was in the hospital when Isaw that BP machine coming down the hall, it all began again 190/100, I cried everytime they took, I had people running all over the place. grabbing my arm and retaking it over and over Please help me I need to go to the Doctore's to get refills for my Meds and I am going crazy because I know what is going to take place on that morning.. I only take 2 pills one is 50mgs Metoprolol 2 xs a day and 1 pill of Simvastin 20mgs. My heart is okay my arteries are okay I weight 137 Lbs and am 5'2" Do I exercise Not regularly, do I sit around all day NO, activity medium
Whats an easy website to find my sportscard ...
By: robert | 30-08-2008
whats an easy website to find my sportscard worth?
Adopted pet not eating
By: Peggy | 26-08-2008
I just adopted a yorkie from a rescue. I have had him about2 1/2 days. I can't get him to eat except some treats he brought with him. The only time he was interested in food was when my partner was eating cottage cheese. He is fine and his bowel movements are ok. Should I be worried?
How do i talk to my teenage daughter about her ...
By: christiane | 26-08-2008
how do i talk to my teenage daughter about her appearance?? i've tried repeatedly...she is very sloppy and almost never washes her hair,dresses in baggy unflatering clothing. Makes no attempt ever to make herself look remotely presentable.
Elder care home
By: Douglas Posey | 25-08-2008
If one is caring for two to three elderly clients, Is Texas state licensure required? At wwhat number is licensure required?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Stress Management Articles
When Talking To Yourself Out Loud Helps
By: Gloria Arenson | 13/10/2008
Did you ever have a problem or emotion that was so upsetting you wanted to call your best friend because you needed a friendly ear? But what happens if no one answers? Don't get stuck with your feelings and misery. Use Narrative Tapping to get over it.
A Simple Meditation for Beginners
By: Steve Gillman | 10/10/2008
If you are intimidated by all the different ways to meditate, here is a simple meditation for beginners.
Six Healthy Ways to Deal With Your Daily Stress
By: Leon | 10/10/2008
Don't allow stress to control your life, this article will give you six healthy ways to deal with your stress in life. Learn and apply them now.
Three Simple Ways to Release Stress
By: Gloria Arenson | 10/10/2008
We are now living in very stressful times. War, global warming and economic disasters plague us. Yet, most of our stress arises from our negative thoughts and beliefs. We tend to think that what we think is the truth. What if it isn't? If your thoughts are making you depressed or stressed try these three helpful tips to brighten up your day.
Wrangling Stress Through Healthy Horseplay
By: Kim Gibbs | 09/10/2008
13 of the best stress management techniques in the world!
Seven Easy Steps Toward Stress Management
By: Richard Reid | 08/10/2008
Stress is the bodys response to demands made upon it. It is an actual physical reaction causing the flow of adrenaline into the blood stream which gives us that feeling called the fight-or-flight response. Stress can be good or bad depending on a few factors.
Using Humor To Live A Stress Free Life
By: Richard Reid | 07/10/2008
As we live our lives, it is only natural that at some point we will endure stressful situations. Stress can arise from issues with our families, friends, jobs, finances, and even the environment around us.
Stressed Living - Subtle Changes for Big Relief
By: Richard Reid | 07/10/2008
When it comes to stress management, it's often the little things that go a long way.
Whether you are stuck sitting in traffic, informed at 4:45 that you will have to stay at work well past 5, or late for an appointment, stress is an issue that plagues millions of us every day. Mindtools.com describes stress as a condition that occurs when demands exceed personal and social resources.
Self Improvement 
