Ever feel like your mind is constantly racing, your heart pounding, and your body tense? That is your sympathetic nervous system in action, also known as the fight-or-flight response. While it plays an important role in keeping you alert in challenging situations, an overactive sympathetic nervous system may contribute to feelings of stress and anxiety.
Some research suggests that yoga could help support the parasympathetic nervous system, the body's rest-and-digest mode, bringing things back into balance. Chronic stress has been linked to lower parasympathetic activity, which may lead to increased cortisol levels and decreased heart rate variability, both of which can place additional strain on the nervous system.
Certain yoga practices, particularly breathwork and slow movement, might stimulate the vagus nerve, a key part of the parasympathetic system that plays a role in emotional regulation and relaxation.
How yoga may support your nervous system balance ⚖️
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✨ Breathwork and controlled breathing. Slow, intentional breathing has been associated with increased vagal tone, which may promote a state of relaxation. A technique such as box breathing, where you inhale for four seconds, hold for four seconds, exhale for four seconds, and hold for another four seconds, can be a simple way to try this.
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🧘♂️ Gentle movement. Practices such as yin yoga, forward folds, and legs up the wall have been linked to activating the parasympathetic nervous system and potentially reducing stress.
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🌿 Meditation and mindfulness. Research suggests that focused attention and deep breathing may contribute to stress reduction and improved mental clarity.
While yoga is not a one-size-fits-all solution, some studies indicate that it may help regulate the nervous system. By incorporating small practices into your routine, you may find it easier to shift out of stress mode and into a state of greater ease. So next time life feels overwhelming, maybe take a deep breath, roll out your mat, and see how your body responds. 💚✨
