Disclaimer: This guide reflects one clinician's perspective on using this book as a psychoeducational adjunct to psychotherapy. It is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace individualized clinical judgment. Clinicians should determine whether this resource is appropriate based on each client's needs, developmental level, culture, reading ability, and treatment goals. ADDITIONAL TERMS OF USE
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
There is nothing more essential to our health and well-being than breathing: take air in, let it out, repeat twenty-five thousand times a day. Yet, as a species, humans have lost the ability to breathe correctly, with grave consequences.
Journalist James Nestor travels the world to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it. The answers aren’t found in pulmonology labs, as we might expect, but in the muddy digs of ancient burial sites, secret Soviet facilities, New Jersey choir schools, and the smoggy streets of São Paulo. Nestor tracks down men and women exploring the hidden science behind ancient breathing practices like Pranayama, Sudarshan Kriya, and Tummo and teams up with pulmonary tinkerers to scientifically test long-held beliefs about how we breathe.
Why This Book?
Overview
Breath explores the science, history, and physiology of breathing, examining how breathing patterns may influence stress, sleep, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Through interviews with researchers, historical accounts, and personal experimentation, James Nestor introduces readers to the potential role of breathing in physical and psychological health.
While not a psychotherapy book, Breath provides an engaging introduction to how breathing habits may affect the nervous system. It can serve as a useful psychoeducational resource for clients learning relaxation skills, mindfulness, or emotion regulation. Clinicians should note that some claims presented in the book extend beyond the current scientific consensus and are best discussed as emerging areas of research rather than established clinical fact.
Best For
Presenting Concerns
Chronic stress
Anxiety
Panic symptoms
Emotional dysregulation
Sleep difficulties
High physiological arousal
Burnout
Client Populations
Adults interested in the mind-body connection
Clients learning relaxation or mindfulness skills
Individuals with chronic stress or anxiety
Clients seeking non-pharmacological wellness strategies
Clinical Strengths
Makes the physiology of breathing accessible and engaging.
Encourages curiosity about the relationship between body and mind.
Reinforces the importance of slowing down during periods of stress.
Complements mindfulness and nervous system regulation interventions.
Provides motivation for clients who struggle to practice breathing exercises consistently.
Clinical Considerations
This book may be less appropriate for:
Clients seeking a structured anxiety treatment workbook.
Individuals who may interpret breathing techniques as a replacement for evidence-based psychotherapy or medical care.
Clients with respiratory or medical conditions requiring individualized medical guidance.
Clients who become overly focused on bodily sensations or health concerns.
Breathing practices should be introduced gradually, particularly with clients who experience panic symptoms or heightened interoceptive sensitivity.
When to Recommend
Early Therapy
Useful when introducing psychoeducation about stress, the autonomic nervous system, or basic emotional regulation skills.
Middle Therapy
Can deepen conversations about body awareness, mindfulness, and self-regulation as clients build coping skills.
Maintenance
Supports ongoing stress management and wellness practices after acute symptoms have improved.
How to Use This Book
Treatment Goals
This book may help clients:
Understand the relationship between breathing and stress.
Increase awareness of habitual breathing patterns.
Develop greater interoceptive awareness.
Improve engagement with relaxation practices.
Support emotional regulation through intentional breathing.
Reinforce daily self-care habits.
Discussion Questions
What surprised you most about the science of breathing?
Did the book change the way you think about stress or relaxation?
What breathing habits did you notice in yourself while reading?
Which ideas felt most applicable to your daily life?
Were there any claims you found difficult to believe or wanted to learn more about?
How do you notice your breathing changing during moments of anxiety, anger, or sadness?
What role might breathing play in helping you slow down before reacting?
Therapeutic Interventions
Breathing Awareness Log
Invite the client to notice their breathing throughout the day by recording:
Stress level
Breathing pace
Physical tension
Emotional state
Review patterns together during session.
Stress-Breath Connection
Identify common situations that activate the client's stress response.
Discuss:
What happens physically?
What happens emotionally?
How does breathing change?
Which breathing strategies might help interrupt the cycle?
Calm Practice Routine
Collaboratively develop a brief daily breathing routine that fits naturally into the client's existing schedule, such as before work, after lunch, or before bed.
Emphasize consistency rather than perfection.
Mind-Body Reflection
Ask the client to reflect on times when changing their breathing influenced their emotional experience.
Discuss how physiological regulation can support—not replace—other therapeutic skills.
Follow-Up Activities
Practice one breathing exercise for five minutes each day.
Notice how breathing changes during stressful situations.
Journal about situations where intentional breathing was helpful.
Pair breathing practice with an existing daily routine to improve consistency.
Reflect on barriers that make slowing down difficult.
Integration Tips
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Use breathing to help clients remain emotionally present while processing difficult emotions rather than avoiding them.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Frame breathing as a grounding skill that creates space for values-based action without attempting to eliminate unwanted thoughts or feelings.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Combine breathing exercises with cognitive restructuring and behavioral coping strategies to reduce physiological arousal during periods of stress.
Mindfulness-Based Therapies
Use the book to reinforce mindful awareness of breath as an anchor for present-moment attention while encouraging flexibility rather than rigid technique.
Editor in Chief
Cody Thomas Rounds
Cody Thomas Rounds is a licensed clinical psychologist- Master, Vice President of the Vermont Psychological Association (VPA), and an expert in leadership development, identity formation, and psychological assessment. As the chair and founder of the VPA’s Grassroots Advocacy Committee, Cody has spearheaded efforts to amplify diverse voices and ensure inclusive representation in mental health advocacy initiatives across Vermont.
In his national role as Federal Advocacy Coordinator for the American Psychological Association (APA), Cody works closely with Congressional delegates in Washington, D.C., championing mental health policy and advancing legislative initiatives that strengthen access to care and promote resilience on a systemic level.
Cody’s professional reach extends beyond advocacy into psychotherapy and career consulting. As the founder of BTR Psychotherapy, he specializes in helping individuals and organizations navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop leadership potential. His work focuses on empowering people to thrive by fostering adaptability, emotional intelligence, and personal growth.
In addition to his clinical and consulting work, Cody serves as Editor-in-Chief of PsycheAtWork Magazine and Learn Do Grow Publishing. Through these platforms, he combines psychological insights with interactive learning tools, creating engaging resources for professionals and the general public alike.
With a multidisciplinary background that includes advanced degrees in Clinical Psychology, guest lecturing, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Cody brings a rich perspective to his work. Whether advocating for systemic change, mentoring future leaders, or developing educational resources, Cody’s mission is to inspire growth, foster professional excellence, and drive meaningful progress in both clinical and corporate spaces.