All articles tagged with #parasympathetic nervous system
A simple 10-second stretch of the shoulders and neck can trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to an immediate drop in blood pressure and a feeling of calm, making it a quick tool for stress relief, though it should not replace medical treatment for hypertension.
Eating sour candy or other strong-tasting foods like sriracha or salt and vinegar chips can distract the brain from a panic attack and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps the body relax after periods of high stress. However, this is not a long-term solution and should be paired with long-term treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, medication, and exercise for chronic anxiety. It's also important to be mindful of any health conditions that may be aggravated by consuming these foods.
Slow breathing exercises may reduce the levels of amyloid beta, a peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease, in the blood. In a trial, participants who followed a breathing exercise had significantly lower levels of amyloid beta in their blood compared to those who spent time calming themselves with pleasant music or peaceful thoughts. The authors suggest that increasing oscillations in heart rate stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which declines with age and may contribute to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's. However, it's unclear how much difference reducing amyloid beta in the blood makes, and the study didn't test how long the effects lasted.