Book tip: The parasympathetic principle

Lisa Vogel studied departmental journalism with a focus on medicine and biosciences at Ansbach University and deepened her journalistic knowledge in the master's degree in multimedia information and communication. This was followed by a traineeship in the editorial team. Since September 2020 she has been writing as a freelance journalist for

More posts by Lisa Vogel All content is checked by medical journalists.

Anyone who understands what makes the nervous system tick can use a few simple tricks to reduce stress. This book shows exactly how this works.

Anyone who understands how the nervous system works can reduce stress and tension with a few simple tricks. How the nervous system affects health and what can be achieved with a few breaths, doctors Dr. Ursula Eder and Dr. Franz Sperlich clearly and with many examples.

What's the matter?

Due to our hectic way of life, we end up in a constant stress loop more and more often. Stress is actually a good thing: It didn't just prepare us for an escape or a fight for survival in dangerous situations. Stress also helps us to be in top form in other important moments: in exam situations, for example, or during a delicate operation.

But stress often arises beyond danger or special challenge - due to the constant overload in everyday life. Those who run from meeting to meeting, hardly have a breather and have to throw away the household and family after work, are constantly electrified. The body is constantly releasing stress hormones - and that makes you sick at some point.

This book shows how to deal with it better - with practical tips for everyday life and simple exercises to reduce stress.

How the nervous system works

The main protagonists of stress regulation are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves - the two opponents of the nervous system. While the sympathetic system electrifies us and provides us with energy in stressful situations, its counterpart, the parasympathetic system, takes care of regeneration afterwards. But how exactly does their interaction work? And why does our nervous system constantly lead us into stressful situations in everyday life?

The authors of the book explain this step by step very simply and clearly. Again and again they let our inner doctor speak for themselves, whom they talk to Dr. med. Baptized the parasympathetic nervous system. The fictional character is certainly not to everyone's taste - he sums up what has been written in very simple terms and tries to arouse interest in the next chapter. These repetitions can be exhausting. But perseverance is worth it.

Practical tips against stress and anxiety

The fourth chapter in particular is exciting. Here the authors explain how you can train your nervous system with simple exercises in everyday life and thus support the body's own health regulation. Targeted exhalation in stressful situations, for example, stimulates regeneration through the parasympathetic nervous system and stabilizes the heart rate. Easy to use, effective immediately.

Who wrote it?

There are two doctors behind the book: Dr. Ursula Eder runs a practice for complementary medicine near Munich. Her focus is on the connection between conventional medicine and naturopathic treatments. Dr. Franz J. Sperlich is an expert in neuroscience. He runs a practice for integrative medicine near Bremen. A holistic approach is also very important to him. He also works as a coach and speaker in companies and deals with topics such as communication, success and stress management.

Who cares?

"The parasympathetic principle" is suitable for everyone who wants to learn how to live consciously and reduce stress in everyday life. However, as a reader you have to get involved with the matter. Despite the clear explanations, it goes in-depth, because the book scores with well-founded specialist knowledge.

Our conclusion

Anyone who is willing to deal with the interrelationships between the nervous system and other body structures will find useful tips here to support the body's own health regulation.

Quote: "The parasympathetic nervous system is busy 24 hours a day, seven days a week to reduce our stress and its consequences"

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