We Assume We Have Control of Our Bodies but These Functions Prove This Isn't True

Jul 03, 2018

Our bodies are complex machines that carry out everyday functions without your conscious involvement. While many of us think that we at least maintain control over the outer workings of our body, that may be far from the truth. We have visible functions that are triggered without our permission. These are everyday functions like sneezing and sweating; as well as less understood functions like the chills.

We have created a list of 10 bodily functions that proves our bodies have more control over our external functions than we think.

The most observable example of skin flushing is when we blush. But skin also flushes to a red color when you feel angry or embarrassed. The reason this happens is that certain emotions trigger increased blood flow often to areas on your face like as your cheeks.

Shivering is an unconditioned reflex that occurs when you're cold. The reason it happens is that your body shivers to produce heat and raise your body temperature. Shivering can also be caused by emotional stress caused when people are put in fight or flight situations.

Did you know that sneezing is actually an essential function that exists to cleanse our systems? It exists to remove allergens and irritants while also unclogging our airways. Sneezing is more common when we are sick because viruses and affect nasal cells. While it's true that some of us can hold our sneezes, we can't go very long without succumbing to a sneeze or two.

Like sneezing, coughing is a reflex that's designed to clear our airways. If we didn't cough when necessary, many irritants, mucus and bacteria may stay in our lungs which is never a good thing. While coughing can be suppressed by certain medications, we ultimately have no control over it on our own.

Although some people may try, it's impossible to avoid sweating. Sweating is a bodily function that exists to keep your body cool. Water is expelled from your skin and evaporates to take away the excess heat in your body. But sweating isn't just a response to excessive heat. Various emotional states like excitement and nervousness activate our sympathetic nervous system which then stimulates our sweat glands.

Have you ever seen a artistic performance that gave you the chills? This is a phenomenon called getting goosebumps and it happens because the base of your hairs contract and stand up. This reflex actually doesn't help us much since we are mostly hairless. It's simply a function that was inherited from our a long haired ancestors.

Although we often yawn when we're tired or bored, most of us don't understand why we do it. Some theories suggest that it's a reflex for us to take in more oxygen while other says it's to stimulate our nervous system. Another mysterious phenomenon is the contagiousness of yawning. When you see other people yawn, you unconsciously start yawning too.

We commonly experience stomach rumbling when we're hungry. It's a sign that you need to fuel your body with food. But we also get stomach rumbling when our digestive system has been disrupted. The latter is something we've all experienced from eating a bad taco or unknowingly drinking that expired milk.

Hiccups are a disruption of your respiratory functions. It can be one of the most annoying reflexes while also being the one of the most humorous. Hiccups happen because your diaphragm is being contracted followed by your vocal cords closing. There are numerous folk remedies like drinking cold water, holding your breath, and pulling on your tongue. But the best cure is to just let it run its course.

Stretching seems like one of those things we do out of intuition. However, it's actually an involuntary reflex we use to prepare our muscles for use. That's why we often stretch after waking up. Our bodies have been in a mostly stationary position for several hours.

Bonus: Pains caused by emotions While it's hard to admit, emotions can also cause involuntary functions. They act as a sign that tell us something is wrong. Here are some of the more common pains you may have experienced: 

• Headaches or mirgraines  
• Shoulder pain
• Backaches
• Knee pain
• Hip pain
• Stomachaches

Do you have a secret method you use to suppress any of our bodily functions on our list? If so, let us know in the comments and pass this on to your friends and loved ones.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!