Breathe Well, Be Well: A Program to Relieve Stress, Anxiety, Asthma, Hypertension, Migraine, and Other Disorders for Better Health (Paperback)

~ Robert L. Fried (Author) "Breathing for health happens in the here and now..." (more)
Key Phrases: low blood carbon dioxide, breathing training, hyperventilation challenge, Steven Halpern, New York City, Pachelbel Kanon (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A Program to Relieve Stress, Anxiety, Asthma, Hypertension, Migraine, and Other Disorders for Better Health

Take a deep abdominal breath. That's the prescription from leading stress and anxiety treatment expert Robert Fried. This straightforward self-improvement guide shows you how to take advantage of several easy breathing techniques and exercises to effectively reduce stress—the most common health complaint in North America—as well as many other health problems. Dr. Fried presents simple breathing exercises anyone can do, any time—at your desk or in bed as you're dropping off to sleep. In this book, you'll receive expert advice on:

• The Hows and Whys of Breathing—your lungs and the science of respiration.
• The Five-Day Program for Better Breathing and Relaxation—the connection between stress/relaxation and abdominal breathing.
• Nutrition and Breathing—foods that can actually improve your blood circulation.
• Specific Health Disorders—discover the link between breathing and asthma, migraines, hypertension, anxiety, and depression.

From the Back Cover

A Program to Relieve Stress, Anxiety, Asthma, Hypertension, Migraine, and Other Disorders for Better Health Take a deep abdominal breath. That's the prescription from leading stress and anxiety treatment expert Robert Fried. This straightforward self-improvement guide shows you how to take advantage of several easy breathing techniques and exercises to effectively reduce stress--the most common health complaint in North America--as well as many other health problems. Dr. Fried presents simple breathing exercises anyone can do, any time--at your desk or in bed as you're dropping off to sleep. In this book, you'll receive expert advice on: *The Hows and Whys of Breathing--your lungs and the science of respiration. *The Five-Day Program for Better Breathing and Relaxation--the connection between stress/relaxation and abdominal breathing. *Nutrition and Breathing--foods that can actually improve your blood circulation. *Specific Health Disorders--discover the link between breathing and asthma, migraines, hypertension, anxiety, and depression.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (April 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471324361
• ISBN-13: 978-0471324362
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #580,563 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The science of breathing made easy for getting well., June 29, 1999

By A Customer

The author of "The Hyperventilation Syndrome" (1987) and "The Psychology and Physiology of Breathing" (1993), writes in "Breathe Well, Be Well" about the complex subject of breathing for everyone who breathes. Those familiar with Robert Fried's earlier writings will recognize how well he has accomplished the difficult task of translating scientific research and theory into explanations and exercises useful to all readers. It may seem at first that "Breathe Well" tries to do too much by going beyond just relieving stress and anxiety, to showing how the way we breathe can be responsible for asthma, hypertension, migraine and other problems. But this is a reliable and authoritative self-help book for anyone who suffers from these conditions. Here is one of the few places where readers can find information about the effects of foods on breathing and on the numerous disorders which are covered. To this reader's surprise and delight, Fried goes further in this book than in any of his earlier works in explaning how breathing relates to thinking, especially the thinking related to anxiety disorders and panic attacks.

"Breathe Well, Be Well" is an important book written with clarity and humor. It deserves a wide audience of people who when they read it will "just have no idea that breathing was the real problem and no one bothered (or knew enough) to tell them."

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with practical info that DOES work!, March 26, 2000

By	Peter (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

After learning the author's breathing techniques, I have been able to relax more and get to the heart of my symptoms. Easy to follow and comprehend. No outer-worldly stuff here, just factual information regarding how breathing correctly will eliminate many of the stresses in your life. I highly recommend this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More Exercises Needed! - But Great Information, September 14, 2005

By	Mesmer77 - See all my reviews

Although this book was not what I had expected it to be (i.e. a detailed book
with many pages devoted to breathing exercises e.g. paced breathing techniques etc)
I did not regret the purchase, in fact I was very impressed.

The reason why I rate this work so highly is because it offers a fresh perspective on
dealing with so called psychosomatic/psychophysiological ailments e.g. panic attacks, phobias
including headaches, migranes, hyperventilating, gasping for breath, Raynaud's condtions,
cold hands etc. The idea that irregular breathing patterns are at the heart of most disorders, although not surprising, is explained extremely well in terms of acid-base levels in the blood.

The primary topic dicussed in this book is hyperventilation. And as an Asthma sufferer I did
not think this work would be useful to me (since I usually struggle to get any air let alone overbreathe!), but I was very wrong!! This book was a great buy, because I now understand
the driving factors for my breathing difficulties from a scientific point of view.
i.e. inhale/exhale ratios, CO2 levels, warms/cold hands etc.

I only have 2 criticisms, the last chapter about Music and Breathing seemed a little out
of place and mostly irrelevent. And secondly there isnt much on breathing techniques,
the only thing that is covered is deep diaphragmatic breathing (whist in the sitting position)
- which is great if thats all you want!

5 stars for information/nutrition/theory content
2 stars for practical exercises with deep breathing