Sympathetic vs Parasympathetic functions of the Autonomic Nervous System

Our nervous system has 2 interweaving sides: excitatory and vegetative. One side takes care of emergencies and the other rest and regeneration.

What the Parasympathetic side of the Autonomic Nervous System does:

Meditation; enables you to reach states of at oneness.
Relaxation; the ability to calm the mind.
Digestion; secretion of enzymes and moving of the bowel.
Restoration; The efficiency and priorities of our body’s cellular metabolism are directly affected by whether we are at ease or anxious.
Sleep; the ability to access the deep sleep states of youth.
Cell regeneration; all the metabolic chemistry that is used in healing and making new tissue.

Constricts blood vessels; raises blood pressure
Shortens breath and limits it to the chest muscles
Contracts pupils and produces focused “tunnel vision”
Reverts us to reactive responses based on past experience.
Inhibits higher brain functions (conceptual, integrative and problem solving creativity)
Suppresses immune response
Disintegrates learned, refined movements
Produces physical awkwardness resulting in loss of self esteem.
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty falling or staying asleep

Chronic tension and pain in muscles, especially those expressive of the startle reflex.
High levels of stress hormones and tension over time create high fluid levels in the tissue.
Stiff, sore muscles, poor circulation, taut, pale and thick skin.
High fluid levels produce poor cellular nutrition, sluggish energy metabolism, poor recovery time from