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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #373449 in Books
• Published on: 1999-04-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

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.

About the Author
ROBERT FRIED, Ph.D., is Professor of Biopsychology and head of the respiratory psychophysiology laboratory at Hunter College and a world–renowned expert in the treatment of stress and anxiety. He is the author of The Arginine Solution, The Hyperventilation Syndrome, and The Breath Connection, and is Director of the Stress and Biofeedback Clinic of the Ellis Institute for Rational Emotive Therapy in New York City, where he lives.

Customer Reviews

Not what I thought it was!
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