Breathe Well by Aimee Hartley

Amid the constant hum of technology and the pressures of daily life, one crucial aspect often goes unnoticed – our breath. Aimee Hartley sheds light on this often-overlooked issue in her comprehensive guide, ‘Breathe Well.’ Hartley contends that, as a society, we have forgotten how to breathe properly, leading to a host of health and well-being challenges. In her book, she takes readers on a journey to rediscover the significance of conscious breathwork and provides practical exercises to address this critical concern.

Let’s explore how ‘Breathe Well’ unveils the transformative potential of mastering our breath for a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Her clientele includes corporate giants like Amazon Fashion, Philosophy, Rebel Kitchen, and Depop. Aimee is also a regular instructor at The Natural History Museum, where she teaches to an audience of 200 people every month.

‘Breathe Well’ by Aimee Hartley is a comprehensive guide that introduces the fundamental principles of breath and its critical role in promoting overall health and wellbeing. In her book, Hartley emphasises the significance of breathing properly and provides practical exercises that can easily be incorporated into a busy daily routine.

The book is thoughtfully organised into sections that align with various aspects of our lives, making it easy to apply the techniques to specific situations when you are at work, or an educational institution, have trouble falling asleep or feel anxious.

• Introduction

The book primarily focuses on providing readers with examples of breathwork aiming to enhance certain health or lifestyle aspects. One such area for improvement is physical activity. The book highlights the significant shift in human lifestyle, from an active and nomadic existence to our current sedentary way of life, mainly due to modern work environments that demand prolonged periods of sitting. This transition, which has occurred relatively quickly in human history, has led to detrimental effects on our health and breathing patterns.

Incorporating breath techniques and movement during the workday can help improve posture, release tension, and boost energy levels, making it essential for our overall health and well-being in today’s predominantly desk-bound world. Breathwork ‘Walk + Breathe’ can help you acquire these benefits.

Here is how the author describes the procedure if the breathwork:

The digital world, especially smartphones and social media, has become a ubiquitous and addictive presence in our lives. Like a drug, people can become dependent on their smartphones to elevate their moods, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms when separated from their devices. Spending excessive time on social media and constantly engaging with technology can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, affecting both mental health and overall well-being.

Aimee Hartley provides readers with a variety of exercises that aim to ease anxiety and stress caused by social media and bring us to the present moment.

The book also addresses the commonness of social anxiety, a prevalent form of anxiety. The symptoms of social anxiety, including increased heart rate and sweating, can drastically affect a person’s quality of life.

However, by using self-calming methods like conscious breathwork, people can alleviate these uneasy sensations and navigate social situations with greater comfort. Acquiring healthy strategies to manage anxiety can result in increased confidence, resilience, and a more enjoyable social life. Breathing exercises like Acu-Calm Breathe ‘5–2–7’ and Box Breathe can swiftly soothe nerves, while additional relaxation techniques can be practised for extended periods to reduce stress in social settings.

Strengths

Weaknesses

“Our breath, like our heartbeat, is the most reliable rhythm in our lives. When we become attuned to this constant rhythm, our breath can gradually teach us to come back to the original silence of the mind.”

“Social anxiety, the fear of interactions with other people in social situations, is one of the most common forms of anxiety today.”

“We sleep for more than one-third of our lives: that’s around 165,000,000 breaths, if we make it to the grand old age of 80. Sleep – and, more importantly, the quality of our sleep – is vital for a healthy, long life. Deep sleep helps restore our immune system, refines our metabolic state and improves our ability to learn and memorize.”

Where to buy

You may purchase ‘Breathe Well’ on Amazon at the best price. It is available in paperback and Kindle, so you may choose an option that appeals to you the most.

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