Page 13 - Stress,anxiety

The SNS response is autonomic meaning it is

not under your conscious control. Faced with a

stressful or threatening situation, your heart will

begin to pound, adrenaline will be released and

your body will automatically undergo numerous

physiological changes. You have no voluntary

control over these physiological changes . . .

except one.

Breathing is under both unconscious and

conscious control. Because your breathing is under

your conscious control, you can use this as a means

to control the SNS/PNS balance.

Think about someone undergoing anxiety or a

panic attack. Their breathing is rapid and shallow.

Now think about someone who is calm. Their

breathing is slow, deep and controlled. Slow deep

breathing helps shift the nervous response from

SNS to PNS. Just as you learned to be stressed,

anxious or panicked, you can also learn to be calm

and centered. This is a skill and like all skills, it

takes time, commitment and practice.

To help shift your nervous system to a PNS

state, there is a very simple breathing method.

Breathe in for a count of four. Hold for a count of