When you’re stressed, you lose some control. Stress hormones flood your bloodstream. Your heart rate and blood pressure go up. You breathe faster. These changes happen without thought. They’re run by what’s known as your sympathetic nervous system. And they kick in whether you’re facing true danger or just a big exam. But scientists are learning how to guide our nervous systems out of that fight-or-flight mode and into relaxation.
Some calming techniques come naturally. Maybe you’ve already used slow, deep breaths to recenter yourself. Now, though, there’s mounting data to support a range of zanier approaches. Ever tried humming, or tapping on your skin? What about dunking your face in cold water?
Explainer: How our body deals with stress
“Consciously, you can’t tell your heart to slow down,” explains Patricio Millar Vernetti. He’s a neurologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. “But by doing these interventions, you have a little bit more control.”
English (US)