Are you aware of the autonomic nervous system? It is the part of the nervous system that works autonomously and controls certain body processes like blood pressure, pulse rate, and breathing. In this lesson, we will discuss the two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system which are the sympathetic and parasympathetic division.
Let’s start with the sympathetic division. This division prepares the body for stress and emergency situations. It automatically controls the body’s response to any noticed threats. This division is associated with the fight or flight response. The fight or flight response represents the options that people have when they are in danger. The options are dealing with the threat (fight) or running away to safety (flight). When someone is frightened, the heartbeat accelerates and the breathing becomes faster. This is to provide enough energy and oxygen to the body as it responses to danger.
Next, the parasympathetic division. This division keeps the body at rest. This division is responsible for storing and conserving the body’s energy not for immediate but for future use. It slows down the pulse rate and starts the digestion. This division is associated with the rest and digest function. The rest and digest represents the time when the blood pressure decreases, the pulse rate slows down and the digestion starts as the body is at rest. It controls the body processes during ordinary situations. For example, wanting to relax on a weekend while watching your favorite television show on a comfortable chair calls for the rest and digest function.