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When breathing is a problem, a small change in how you breathe can make a big difference. 'Breathe Well - Five steps to healthier breathing' is a carefully-written little paperback book that has proved invaluable to hundreds of people with asthma, COPD and other breathing problems since it was published last summer.
Author Linda Shampan recognises that breathing problems occur within a wide range of experiences and that each individual will have particular aspects to address.

• People with anxiety or panic attacks experience powerful physical sensations including feeling unable to breathe. Breathe Well offers effective strategies to help manage the symptoms of panic attacks and gradually reduce their frequency.
• People with asthma have symptoms which can range from mild or occasional to frequent or severe. Contributory factors may include allergy, genetic predisposition, stree, change of environment or smoking. Improving the mechanics of how you breathe can enable symptoms to be reduced and more effectively controlled.
• People with COPD have irreversible physical changes in the lungs. However, by making your breathing as effective as possible, you can improve your general wellbeing and ability to manage daily activities.

Using the techniques explained in Breathe Well you can

improve your ordinary pattern of breathing

gain tips to use when you feel short of breath

reduce the need for 'reliever' inhalers

Author Linda Shampan is a Buteyko Breathing teacher and BACP accredited counsellor who previously worked as a general and palliative nurse. She developed Breathe Well as a five-step approach using breathing exercises based on Buteyko principles and teaches this at her practice in West London.