Relief from Anxiety and Panic by Changing How You Breathe by Tess Graham

In a world where anxiety disorders are rife—as are the medications that try to treat them—learning how to breathe properly can offer relief with little input of time and money. Over the last 25 years, Tess Graham has helped thousands of people retrain their breathing and regain their physical and emotional health (see NEXUS 21/02, 21/03).

As well as reviewing the oxygen– carbon dioxide balance, Graham explains how disordered breathing starts, how it can cause anxiety, and how it can be exacerbated by poor dietary choices. She has checklists so you can assess your symptoms.

Graham includes a program of nine new habits in nine days, such as nose and diaphragm breathing, holding an upright posture, taking eight to 12 breaths per minute and adopting silent, invisible breathing. She has advice on rescue breathing in case of panic attack, overcoming insomnia, improving sleep quality, and dealing with underlying issues.

The case studies that Graham presents give confidence to anyone who wants to turn around what they think may be intractable conditions. Her workable regimen can produce profound results in a short time.

Reviewed by Ruth Parnell