Sympathetic VS Parasympathetic
- Dr. Joshua Beaudry
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
Have you ever felt exhausted but unable to relax?
You are tired, but your mind will not slow down. You feel wired, restless, and unable to fall asleep.
This is one of the most common patterns we see, and it is not random.
It is a sign that your nervous system is stuck in a stress state.
Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic: The Two States of Your Body
Your nervous system operates in two primary modes.
The sympathetic system is your fight, flight, or freeze response. The parasympathetic system is your rest, digest, and heal response.
Both are necessary. The problem occurs when one stays on for too long.
What Happens in a Sympathetic State
When your body is in a sympathetic state, it is preparing for survival.
You may notice:
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Faster breathing
Tight muscles
Increased blood sugar
Reduced digestion
These changes are helpful in short bursts. They are not meant to be constant.
Signs You May Be Stuck in Stress
Your body gives you clear signals when you are in a sympathetic dominant state.
Common signs include:
Cold hands, feet, or nose
Sweaty or very dry hands
Digestive issues
Tight muscles
Rapid or shallow breathing
Poor heart rate variability
These are not random symptoms. They are indicators that your body is prioritizing survival over healing.
What Happens in a Parasympathetic State
The parasympathetic system is where healing occurs.
In this state:
Heart rate slows down
Digestion improves
Hormones begin to balance
The immune system repairs
The brain becomes more regulated
This is the state your body needs to recover, restore energy, and function at its best.
The Brain’s Role in Stress
When you are stuck in stress, specific areas of the brain are affected.
The amygdala becomes overactive, which increases fear and reactivity. The prefrontal cortex becomes less active, which reduces focus, decision-making, and emotional control. The brainstem becomes dominant, keeping you in a survival loop.
Over time, this pattern can lead to:
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD-like symptoms
Sleep issues
Brain fog
Chronic pain
Modern Triggers That Keep You Stuck
Stress today looks different than it did in the past.
It is not just physical danger. It is constant stimulation.
Common drivers include:
Cell phone notifications and screen exposure
Work and life stress
Blood sugar instability
Inflammation from food, toxins, or injuries
Lack of sleep
Blood sugar is one of the most important and overlooked factors.
When blood sugar drops below about 85 or rises above 100 for extended periods, the body activates a stress response to stabilize it.
This alone can keep someone stuck in fight-or-flight.
The Left and Right Brain Connection
When the sympathetic system is dominant, the left side of the brain tends to become more active.
When the parasympathetic system is engaged, the right side of the brain becomes more active.
This balance can even be measured through changes in head or ear temperature.
This is one way we assess how the brain is functioning and where imbalance may exist.
Key Drivers That Must Be Addressed
To restore balance, you have to look at the underlying systems.
Ask yourself:
Are your blood sugars stable?
Is your thyroid functioning properly?
Is your gut moving and digesting correctly?
Is inflammation present from food, toxins, or injury?
Are your hormones balanced?
If these areas are not working well, the nervous system will remain in a stress state.
How to Shift Into Healing Mode
The goal is to activate the parasympathetic system and support the vagus nerve.
Some simple and effective strategies include:
Breathing: Use a 1:2 ratio. Breathe in for 3 seconds and out for 6 seconds. This signals safety to the brain.
Stabilize Blood Sugar: Protein is often the missing piece. Balanced meals help prevent stress-driven spikes and crashes.
Movement: Gentle, consistent movement helps regulate the nervous system.
Cold Exposure: Short periods of cold can stimulate vagal tone and improve resilience.
Neurological Support: Care such as chiropractic adjustments, neurofeedback, laser therapy, and vagal stimulation can help reset the system.
The Takeaway
Your body is not broken.
It is responding exactly the way it was designed to when it senses stress.
If you feel wired and tired, it is a sign your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.
When you remove the stressors and support the systems that regulate your body, healing begins.
Your body is powerful. It is intelligent. It is designed to heal.
Sometimes it just needs the right environment to do so.
Life Springs Family Chiropractic – Denver, CO
Call/Text: (303) 770-0605
Website: lifespringsfamilychiropractic.com
