Positive emotions are recognized as friendly, which is a signal for the glands to turn on the body’s relaxation response. This is a calm, relaxed state of serenity and peace. The parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system takes over and maintains routine metabolism. Muscular tension melts away and negative thoughts and feelings disappear. The heart rate drops, blood pressure falls, respiration slows, oxygen consumption is reduced and immunocompetence soars.
As we enter the relaxed alpha state, brainwave frequency drops to 8 to 13 cycles per second. We feel comfortable and relaxed and we experience a delightful state of ease and wellness in which headaches are rarely experienced.
By contrast, the hypothalamus and pituitary glands recognize all negative emotions as threatening or unfriendly. Whenever confronted with a negative feeling, even a mildly negative feeling like boredom or uncertainty, these twin glands turn on all or part of the body’s fight-or-flight response.
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