| the most important systems in the body is the | | | | system creates a response which we refer to as |
| nervous system, which is also called the control | | | | rest and digest response when a person is |
| center of the body. It contains the brain which | | | | under stress. The response of the |
| directs and supports almost all the functions of | | | | parasympathetic nervous system is the opposite |
| the body: voluntary and involuntary ones. | | | | of the sympathetic nervous system. In here, |
| Voluntary responses are those which we can | | | | slowing down of the heart and breathing rate |
| control. This includes walking, motion of the hands, | | | | occurs, as well as the dilation of the blood vessels, |
| speaking, and the like. Involuntary responses | | | | which improves the flow of the blood into the |
| include breathing, beating of the heart, digestion, | | | | body. |
| sweating, blinking, some reflexes, and other | | | | Meditation, according to experts, works in such a |
| movements that are not under our control. And | | | | way that it reduces the work of the sympathetic |
| because the involuntary nervous system or the | | | | nervous system and encourages or energizes the |
| autonomic nervous system is usually the one | | | | work of the parasympathetic nervous system. |
| being affected the most by stress, depression | | | | We all know that this in turn will result to |
| and other fatigue related problems, experts have | | | | enhanced breathing and flow of the blood carrying |
| thought of the use of meditation as a solution. | | | | oxygen and nutrients to different parts of the |
| Mediation is the state of being concentrated on | | | | body. |
| something, someone, or on an experience. It | | | | There a lot of meditation types. Some of which |
| allows a person to point his or her attention into a | | | | are those we do occasionally and some even |
| single thought. But why is it said to be a way to | | | | everyday, but in general they are being |
| regulate the work of the nervous system? | | | | recognized or categorized as meditation. Some of |
| First, let us divide and study the nervous system | | | | these practices include thinking, daydreaming, |
| into two parts: the sympathetic nervous system | | | | optimism, and praying. These only shows that |
| and the parasympathetic nervous system. The | | | | meditation is not something hard to do, in fact, |
| sympathetic nervous system is the one | | | | everybody could be engaged in it. |
| responsible for mobilizing the body’s | | | | Meditation is not exactly a challenge, if you put |
| actions. It produces a response called fight or | | | | your mind to it. Sometimes, we just have to be |
| flight when the person is experiencing stress. | | | | aware of how it is done and the benefits it could |
| Fight or flight responses include increase in the | | | | do to us. We don’t have to be engaged in |
| heart and breathing rate of a person, and also the | | | | intense meditation to achieve its effects, all we |
| narrowing of the blood vessels and tightening of | | | | have to do is have some time for ourselves and |
| the muscles. | | | | focus our mind on something positive. |
| On the other hand, the parasympathetic nervous | | | | |