9 weird things your body does that you never knew were actually defense mechanisms

Our body is made up of a collection of biological circuits and systems that are sometimes very difficult to understand.

The group of the body's defense mechanisms constitute one such system.

They protect us from danger 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from a wide variety of things that can harm us.

Here are nine fascinating things our bodies do that you probably did not know were part of the group of defense mechanisms.

1. Yawning

The main purpose of yawning is to cool the brain after it has overheated or to relieve stress.

2. Sneezing

We usually sneeze when the nasal passages are overfilled with allergens, microbes, dust, etc. Sneezing is the body's way of getting this 'garbage' out.

Stretching

We stretch automatically to prepare our body for the physical load we expect it to go through during the day. At the same time, stretching activates the muscles, restores blood circulation, and improves our mood.

4. Hiccups

When we eat fast, swallow large pieces of food, or just eat too much, the stray nerve feels irritated. It is close to the stomach and diaphragm. And the result is hiccups.

5. Myoclonus

It refers to this feeling when you lie down to sleep, and you begin to fall asleep when the body surprises you with a feeling of electrification. At this very moment, all your muscles contract so hard that you almost fall out of bed, and you immediately wake up.

The phenomenon is a result of the fact that when you start to fall asleep, the frequency of your breathing decreases rapidly, your pulse slows down slightly and your muscles are relaxed. Amazingly, your brain thinks you're about to die, so it's trying to save you by an electric shock.

6. Wrinkles in the skin

The wrinkles that appear on your hands play an important role. This phenomenon is caused by the fact that when your body encounters a large amount of moisture it realizes that the environment is getting smoother. So the skin in your hands immediately begins to change in such a way that it will be easier for it to cling to smooth surfaces.

7. Memory loss

Memory loss usually occurs after unpleasant experiences. Our brain simply erases those horrible moments from our memory.

8. Duck skin

The main purpose of duck skin is to reduce the amount of heat our body loses through the pores in the skin, thus making it easier for us to warm ourselves in hostile climatic conditions.

9. Tears

Apart from the fact that they act as a protection for the mucous membrane of the eye when foreign objects come in contact with it, tears serve as a tool of ‘emotional protection’. Scientists believe that in stressful situations the body creates a new and powerful source of stimulation in order to distract the person from the pain he is currently experiencing.

These are just some of the reasons why we need to thank our bodies for keeping and protecting us every day. Remember to be calm - your body guards you every second of the day!