parasympathetic
1
7.9
- adjective
- /ˌpærəˈsɪmpəˌθɛtɪk/
- Specialized
- After a stressful day, I turn to meditation to stimulate my parasympathetic response and promote healing.
- parasympathetic nervous
- parasympathetic nervous system
- parasympathetic tone
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Watch on YouTubeSo one, it is activating our parasympathetic system, which is our rest and digest system.
- So one, it is activating our parasympathetic system, which is our rest and digest system.
- So for people, let's say at the Olympics, they want to be able to create that parasympathetic state on demand and a certain number of breaths.
- You have parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, OK, that are triggered within the body.
- So in what we, what you want to be doing when you're sleeping is in a maximally parasympathetic state that the so-called rest and digest state.
- And that breath is awakening the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Doing something on a daily basis to represent and reactivate your parasympathetic nervous system.
- And, and she'll sense my little, you know, parasympathetic slumber breath and, you know, turn off the light.
Examples
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Salivary secretion is regulated by either sympathetic or parasympathetic stimulation, with the latter exhibiting a more dominant influence.
Academic text (2006) -
That'll trigger a parasympathetic response in your body to calm you down.
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It's the parasympathetic nervous system.
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You have parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, OK, that are triggered within the body.
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So I need to get myself back into that calm parasympathetic mindset so that my body can heal and recover.
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Previous studies have shown that HRR is a good marker of parasympathetic activity.
Academic text (2007) -
So one, it is activating our parasympathetic system, which is our rest and digest system.
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When the threat dissipates, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, triggering the relaxation response and returning hormones to normal levels.
Academic text (2006) -
The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems act in balancing the stresses that assail the physical body, both externally and internally.
Academic text (1994) -
Engaging in deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping you feel more relaxed.
Antonyms
- Specialized
4
7.3
Relating to the body nerves that make the heart beat faster during stress
Compounds
- Specialized
1
4.9
The part of the nervous system that calms the body, slows the heart, and helps digestion
Surface Forms
Morphology
parasympathetic = sympathetic (semi-transparent) = para + sympathetic
The prefix 'para-' clearly signals an 'alongside/opposing' relation, but the technical anatomical meaning is still specialized.
Etymology
Parasympathetic as an adjective breaks into para- 'beside' and sympathetic (like sympathy, 'feeling'), giving a simple image: it describes the 'beside' or balancing side of the nervous system that calms the body and supports rest and digestion.