Rest & Digest: Meet the Parasympathetic Nervous System

Season 2 - Episode 8

In the episode, Lauren discusses the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) and how it helps balance us out, get our rest and digest our food. 

The PNS has a calm and rest effect on our bodies. Think of it as a superhero! It slows us down, calms us, and does the opposite of the Fight or Flight/SNS part of our brain. We are all thankful for that!

We can get stuck in Fight or Flight mode due to chronic stress, over-stimulation, and traumatic situations. This can cause restlessness, panic, hyperactivity, fear, or anxiety. We need the PNS to balance our bodies, so we don’t get stuck. 

Sometimes, we get so overwhelmed by extreme stress, our nervous system cannot achieve balance on its own. It gets stuck in Flight or Flight mode. Sadly, this can cause depression, disconnection, fatigue, lack of emotion, or social withdrawal. If this goes on for too long, it can develop into PTSD (Posttraumatic stress disorder). We sure don’t want to be here! 

What can we do to not get stuck in Fight or Flight mode? Listen to this episode to find out more!


Lauren answers this week’s listener question during the episode:
How do children develop (negative) behaviors?

Try-at-home tip: Take in less information. 

Other related resources from The Behavior Hub:
Blog Post:
Fight or Flight: Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS)
Rest & Digest: Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS)
Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Kids (& Adults!)

Podcast:
Fight or Flight: Our Sympathetic Nervous System
Why Behaviors Occur - The 5 Needs Areas

Our Online Courses:
From Wild Emotions to Tamed Feelings – How to Self-Regulate (5 Needs Areas)
 

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