Definition:
The autonomic nervous system is part of the body's peripheral nervous system (PNS). It regulates many of our organs, controlling heart rate, breathing, sweating, digestion, sexual arousal, and other functions.
The autonomic nervous system is made up of two main branches: The parasympathetic nervous system and the sympathetic nervous system. Whereas the sympathetic nervous system provides quick responses to immediate needs (e.g., responses to present threats), often referred to as "fight or flight," the parasympathetic nervous system helps slow the body's reaction to allow less urgent processes (e.g., digestion) to occur.
