In this lesson, we explore the physiology involved in the activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Objective
Understand the physiology of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in activating the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, and the workings of the stress response, fight-or-flight response and relaxation response, plus the polyvagal theory of how the ANS functions.
Description
Explain how the nervous system responds when experiencing stress and give examples of positive triggers for the stress response. Describe what happens when stress is perceived to be excessive or threatening. Give examples of conditions that activate the fight-or-flight response. Explain how the fight-or-flight response is helpful and under what circumstance it’s harmful. Describe the relaxation response and practices that have been shown to initiate it. Discuss the polyvagal theory of ANS functioning.
Vocabulary
fight-or-flight response, hyperarousal or acute stress response, polyvagal theory, relaxation response
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