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Everyone has both a Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) and a Parasympathetic Nervous System (PSNS).
The sympathetic nervous system functions like a gas pedal in a car. It triggers the fight-or-flight response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived dangers. The parasympathetic nervous system acts like a brake. It promotes the "rest and digest" response that calms the body down after the danger has passed.
If the brain continues to perceive something as dangerous, it will continue to release stress hormones, keeping the "gas pedal" pressed down and our body revved up and on high alert. When the threat passes, cortisol (stress hormone) levels fall, and the parasympathetic nervous system — the "brake" — can then tone down the stress response.
Many people are unable to find a way to put the brakes on stress. Chronic low-level stress keeps part of the stress response activated, much like a motor that is idling too high for too long. After a while, this has an effect on the body that contributes to many health problems, including:
Anxiety.
Depression.
Digestive problems.
Headaches.
Muscle tension and pain.
Heart disease, heart attack, high blood pressure and stroke.
Sleep problems.
Weight gain.
Problems with memory and focus.
Putting the "brake" on the stress response calls for addressing the mind as well as the body, since both the brain and body contribute to symptoms. Mind-body practices such as breathwork, gentle yoga, meditation, massage, and Reiki have been proven effective in helping activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
Paraphrased from health.harvard.edu, mayoclinic.org, and hopkinsmedicine.org.
Additional information on Reiki: bannerhealth.com, komen.org, integrativehealthcare.org, womenandinfants.org.
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