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Our bodies are a complex collection of numerous biological cycles and systems that can often be difficult to fully understand.
The body’s set of defense mechanisms forms one such system. It protects us from harm 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from a whole range of things that could potentially threaten us.
Here are nine things your body does that you may not even realize are classified as these defense mechanisms.
Unusual defense mechanisms of the human body
Yawning
The main purpose of yawning is to cool the brain after it has been overheated or overworked.
Sneezing
We usually sneeze when our nostrils become filled with too many allergens, microbes, dust, or other irritating substances. Sneezing is the body’s way of getting rid of this „waste“.
Stretching
We instinctively stretch to prepare our bodies for the physical strain we expect them to take on during the day. At the same time, stretching works out the muscles, restores blood flow and improves mood.
Hiccups
When we eat very quickly, swallow large pieces of food, or simply overeat, our vagus (pneumogastric) nerve can become irritated. It is closely connected to our stomach and diaphragm. The result is a bout of hiccups.
Myoclonic jerks
This refers to that strange sensation when you go to lie down and sleep, and as you begin to fall asleep, your body is jolted for a second, which feels like an electric shock. At that moment all your muscles contract so strongly that you nearly fall out of bed and wake up immediately.
This phenomenon is the result of the fact that when you begin to fall asleep, the rate of your breathing drops rapidly, while your pulse slows down very gently and your muscles relax. Surprisingly, your brain interprets these triggers as a forewarning of death. So it tries to save you by giving you a jolt.
Skin wrinkling
The wrinkles that appear on the skin of your hands play an important role. This reaction is caused by the fact that when your body encounters an increased amount of moisture, it understands that the environment could be slippery. So the skin on your hands immediately begins to change in a way that helps you better grip smooth surfaces.
Memory loss
Memory loss often occurs after the occurrence of the most unpleasant experiences. Our brains literally erase the worst moments from our memories.
Goosebumps
The primary function of goosebumps is to reduce the amount of heat our body loses through the pores of the skin, which then makes it easier for us to warm up in harsh climatic conditions.
Tears
Besides acting as a protection for the mucous membrane of our eye when it comes into contact with foreign objects, tears serve as a tool of „emotional defense „. Scientists believe that in stressful situations the body creates a new, powerful source of irritation in order to distract a person from the pain they are currently experiencing.
These are just some of the reasons we should be very grateful to our body for the work that protects us every single day. Don’t forget to relax – your body has everything covered.
