Milestone 1

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PSY 790

The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for maintaining ordinary process which is vital for a normal life. Some of the key functions of the parasympathetic nervous system include regulating digestion, sexual arousal, lowering the blood pressure and slowing the heart rate. The parasympathetic nervous system, therefore, plays an important role when it comes ensuring that the body is well monitored and it is able to carry out its normal daily activities (Colman, 2006). This paper is going to examine the importance of parasympathetic nervous system on stimulation through cuddling and massage. The parasympathetic nerves touch is some of the automatic reaction that the body undergoes when they are activated. When someone is cuddling or massaged, the physical touch activates the pressure receptors in the body and instantly, signals are sent to the vague nerves. The vague nerve is an important parasympathetic t element in our parasympathetic system, this is because it acts as a safety valve. When one is cuddled or massaged and carry out is under high pressure, the vague nerves relax and sends the message to the entire body through the nervous system, thus reducing blood pressure and one feels calm and secure.

What happens when the parasympathetic nervous system gets activated?

During cuddling from a lover hormone are released, this is through the activation of chemicals in the bodies of those cuddling. The chemicals in the brains play a crucial role, this is because they are the neurotransmitters, the chemicals include; dopamine and oxytocin. Oxytocin, is the hormone that is activated during cuddling. When lovers are cuddling the levels of oxytocin hormones tend to increase, this makes the body to be warmer, fuzzy and makes one to be in a good mood.

What benefits do we get?

There are several benefits that can be derived from parasympathetic nervous system when two lover cuddle or touch. The benefits include: Improving self-esteem and reducing stress and anxiety. Improving self-esteem occurs when the hormones are released and they calm the body, therefore, the body is able to sense security and safety. Studies have been able to show that lovers who often cuddle and hug each other tend to have high self-esteem (Colonnello, 2016). Improved self-esteem can be observed from social interaction and connection and image that is portrayed within the public. Reduced stress and anxiety, on the other hand occur when one is hugged or cuddle to feel better. The brain will naturally produce dopamine which makes the body to relax, dopamine will reduce the pressure and make one feel relaxed (The Autonomic Nervous System, 2016). Dopamine and Oxytocin when released as a result of a hug, they tend to lower the level of cortisol in the body which increases stress or anxiety.

To sum it all up, cuddling and hugs have a long effect on the health of an individual. This is because they are able to trigger the release of important hormones that benefit or improve the health of an individual. A good example of health benefit would include: better heart health and increased immunity. Lack of it has been found to have some health effect on some individuals as they cannot cope in certain stressful situations and also, they tend to have problems with their self-esteem. Therefore, cuddling and touching of lovers is an important part of their relationship as well as their health and this should not be taken for granted.

Reference

Colman, A. M. (2006). Oxford dictionary of psychology. New York: Oxford University Press.

Colonnello, V. (2016). Oxytocin and Self-Consciousness. PMB Med.

The Autonomic Nervous System. (2016). Regulation and Intergration, 529-534.