Which of the following best explains how relaxation techniques and laughter help reduce stress?

• A. They cause the release of cortisol, which increases alertness and stress levels.
• B. They suppress the immune system, making the body less responsive to stressors.
• C. They activate the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which lowers heart rate and promotes a sense of calm.
• D. They increase the production of adrenaline, preparing the body for a fight-or-flight response.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the role of the autonomic nervous system in stress regulation, which includes the sympathetic nervous system (activates fight-or-flight responses) and the parasympathetic nervous system (promotes relaxation and recovery).
2. Recognize that relaxation techniques and laughter are known to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to lower heart rate and blood pressure, promoting a sense of calm and reducing stress.
3. Recall that cortisol and adrenaline are stress hormones typically released during activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which increases alertness and prepares the body for stress, rather than reducing it.
4. Note that suppressing the immune system is generally a negative effect of chronic stress, not a mechanism by which relaxation or laughter reduce stress.
5. Conclude that the best explanation is that relaxation techniques and laughter activate the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to physiological changes that reduce stress.