The nervous system is a marvel, acting as the king of the body and serving as the crucial link between the brain and the rest of the body. At its core, the nervous system works to bring information into the brain, process that information, and transmit the brain’s response back to the body. The power of the nervous system cannot be overstated.
The human nervous system comprises two main components: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The CNS, consisting of the brain and spinal cord, serves as the main control centre. The PNS comprises thousands of nerves that connect the spinal cord (part of the CNS) to the skeletal muscles and sensory receptors.
The motor component of the PNS is further divided into the somatic nervous system (voluntary) and the autonomic nervous system (involuntary). The autonomic nervous system is particularly important and is subdivided into the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight response) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest response).
The sympathetic nervous system is our life-saving system, activated in perceived danger or stressful situations—our ancestors relied on it to escape predators like lions. When the brain senses danger, it triggers the fight-or-flight response, providing the body with a burst of energy, increasing heart rate and blood pressure, releasing sugar into the bloodstream, and diverting blood flow away from digestion to the muscles to enable rapid movement. This system also inhibits the parasympathetic system, the rest-and-digest response.
While being ready to fight or flee can be beneficial in the right context, modern high-paced living causes many people to live in a constant state of fight or flight, unnecessarily activating this system and leaving it on. This chronic activation can lead to long-term illnesses and chronic stress, which can be precursors to various health issues such as diabetes, cardiac problems, and unexplained pain.
Research shows that taking time for yourself can inhibit the fight-or-flight response, allowing the rest-and-digest system to activate. Activities scientifically proven to reduce chronic stress and restore balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems include meditation, deep abdominal breathing, physical activity, massage, movement, and confiding in someone close to you.
Consider your daily life: Which response is most prevalent? Is this response beneficial to your health? Can you introduce some “me time” to help restore balance if necessary?
Formulating Fitness 