Sympathetic Vs Parasympathetic

Are you using too much brake or too much pedal?

Our Autonomic Nervous System regulates internal body processes that require no conscious awareness (think rate of heart contracts, breathing, digestive aid secretion) and has two states:

1. Sympathetic = Gas Pedal
2. Parasympathetic = Brakes

Sympathetic gets the bad rap - it’s our fight or flight side and most of live here. But these systems actually counterbalance each other, so we can be TOO dominant in either one. Here’s what that might look like...

Sympathetic Dominance

Poor digestion
Decreased saliva
Constipation
Anxiety
Night sweats
Wake unretsed
Nervousness
Increased muscle tension
Poor breathing patterns
Inflammatory Conditions
Susceptibility to infections

Parasympathetic Dominance

Joint Stiffness on arising
Dislike of exercise
Lack of motivation
Watery eyes or nose
Muscle-leg-toe cramps at night
Poor circulation, sensitive to cold
Frequent blinking
Perspiring easily
Subject to colds, asthma, bronchitis
Irregular breathing
Indigestion soon after meals

Parasympathetic use is NECESSARY - it allows us to recharge and recover from stress. But dominance here prevents us from using our Sympathetic effectively, leading to a lack of energy and drive.

How do we learn to dance between the two?

1. Take responsibility

Only you can change your actions and your health. If you see symptoms from above, they're not going away on their own. No one is going to fix it for you.

2. Make a plan

Banish the thoughts that you “don’t have time” or you’re too far off. Start with what sounds EXTREMELY doable and make it fun. Nail it for a week and then add a little more.