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Stress Management for Health Course
Comparison Between the Fight/Flight Response and Relaxation Response

 

Fight-Flight Response

Sympathetic Nervous System

 

Prepares body for fight-flight

 

Blood pressure increases

 

Muscle tension increases

 

Pupils widen

 

Air passages widen

 

Blood flow to muscles increases

 

Bladder sphincter constricts

 

Perspiration increases

 

Pulse rate increases

 

Salivary glands decrease saliva

 

Blood clotting increases

 

Gastrointestinal activity decreases

 

Brain highly alert

 

Metabolic rate increases

 

Breathing rate increases

 

Blood glucose and fats increase

 

Lactic acid levels increase

 

Anxiety levels increase

 

Click here to be taken to Preparation for Relaxation

 

Relaxation Response

Parasympathetic Nervous System

 

Prepares body for rest

 

Blood pressure decreases

 

Muscle tension decreases

 

Pupils get smaller

 

Air passages narrow

 

Blood flow to muscles decreases

 

Bladder sphincter relaxes

 

Perspiration decreases

 

Pulse rate decreases

 

Increased saliva flow

 

Blood clotting normalises

 

Gastrointestinal activity increases

 

Brain relaxed

 

Metabolic rate decreases

 

Breathing rate decreases

 

 Blood glucose & fats normalise

 

 Lactic acid levels decrease

 

Anxiety levels decrease