Your nervous system is an interconnected web of nerves and is often called the “command center” of the body.24 It plays the key role in your thoughts, feelings, senses, and movements (both conscious and unconscious). It also regulates your body’s systems (i.e. respiratory, digestive, etc). It directs your systems by sending out messages to all parts of your body via cells called neurons. These neurons send out the messages and chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) help deliver the messages.25 The piece of your nervous system that regulates your unconscious behavior is your autonomic nervous system. It is in charge of regulating your breathing and heart rate (among other functions). It is also the system that kicks into gear unconsciously when your body perceives a physical threat (and creates your fight-or-flight response). Stress can cause your brain to send the same signals through your nervous system to stimulate your fight-or-flight response.26