The Parasympathetic Response to COVID

If you throw a baby into the water, it will hold its breath. The diving reflex is mediated through the parasympathetic nervous system. And so it's kind of a survival mechanism that has evolved. It doesn't have to be for very long either, just a few minutes. But when you go into cold water, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Over those six times, over a few weeks, your reaction will grow less and less. So what that means is that stress response is brought down to more moderate levels.

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