Switching on the Parasympathetic (or relaxing) nervous system will improve conditions including: anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, IBS, headaches
and reflux.
The Autonomic nervous system is comprised of two parts, the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) fuelled by adrenaline and known as the ‘fight
and flight’ response, and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), which has the opposite effect and has been coined the ‘rest and digest’
response. Most people today have an overabundance of ‘fight and fight’ hormone due to the many stresses of modern life. Increasing carbon
dioxide levels helps to dampen down the SNS response and switches on the PNS. Which makes Buteyko breathing exercises perfect for anyone
who feels stressed and anxious. In the ‘old days’ a person experiencing a panic attack was advised to breathe into a paper bag. What did
this do? Increase carbon dioxide levels, switch on the PNS, and switch off the SNS.