At the beginning of each year, I always get on a nonfiction and self-help book kick. From everyone making New Year resolutions and vision boards, the beginning of the year is a time where I look forward to the months ahead and how to improve myself. Which is what inspired this nonfiction pick.
Summary
In The Nervous System Reset: Heal Trauma, Resolve Chronic Pain, and Regulate Your Emotions with the Power of the Vagus Nerve, Jessica Maguire discusses the science behind our nervous system and key elements that impact our emotional and physical states. Focusing on a biophysicalsocial model for regulation, Maguire explores the Vagus nerve and the surprising impact it has on our body and mind, with practical tips and practices to healing your nervous system.
Review
I picked this book up for the practical tips, but what I really benefitted from was the science. The first half of this book is dedicated to the science of our nervous systems and the many body systems that it interacts with. While the science is dense, Maguire did a great job at breaking down the complex concepts into easy to read chunks and memorable metaphors. I loved the window of tolerance imagery and our hot and cold states. The author mentions in the beginning of the book not to skip to the end to read the practical tips, and I agree: do not skip to the end.
This book disproved a lot of assumptions I had about my body. Like that my mind and thoughts always impacted my physical states, not the other way around. She did a great job at breaking down difficult scientific concepts into easy to understand images, and I would say that I got more value out of the first half of the book than the last half.
The second half of the book explores tips and practices for regulating your nervous system. The tips were ok, but very basic. If you have read a lot of self-help book on metal health, then none of these will be all too surprising: breathing exercises, posture, physical touch, a balanced diet, and strong social relationships with others.
If you pick up this book expecting life-changing tips or a secret to healing your anxiety, depression, or chronic pain, then I am sad to say this isn’t the book. But if you are curious about the science of your nervous system or are new to the self-help space, then I recommend picking this book up.
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