How Meditation Works to Activate the Parasympathetic Nervous System

You've probably heard of the "fight or flight" response. This is the stress response that's activated when we perceive a threat. It's an evolutionarily ancient response that's designed to protect us from harm. But what about the "rest and digest" response? This is the relaxation response that's activated by the parasympathetic nervous system. Let's take a closer look at how meditation works to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.

When we meditate, we are training our brains to focus on a single object or thought. This could be our breath, a mantra, or a visualization. By focusing on a single object or thought, we are effectively shutting out all other distractions. This allows us to reach a state of deep concentration, known as mindfulness.

Mindfulness has been shown to decrease activity in the amygdala, which is responsible for triggering the fight or flight response. As activity in the amygdala decreases, so too does our stress response. At the same time, meditation has been shown to increase activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive function and rational decision-making. This increases our ability to control our emotions and make choices based on logic rather than fear.

Over time, with regular practice, we can train our brains to default to this state of deep concentration and relaxation more easily and more quickly. We can learn to control our stress response instead of letting it control us.

Conclusion:

If you're looking for a way to reduce stress and increase relaxation, look no further than meditation! Meditation has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which leads to the relaxation response. With regular practice, you can train your brain to reach this state of deep concentration and relaxation more easily and more quickly. So why not give it a try?