Air Hunger Explained: Understanding Anxiety with Howard Cooper

In this episode, Howard Cooper shares his journey frombeing a severe anxiety sufferer to becoming an ex-anxiety sufferer. He discusses the limitations of traditional therapy, the importance of understanding memory in relation to anxiety, and the role of storytelling in shaping our experiences. He introduces the concept of 'air hunger' and how it affects individuals, emphasizing the need to break the illusion of anxiety to foster personal change. He highlights the significance of recognizing anxiety as a label rather than a definitive experience, encouraging listeners to explore their own narratives and responses to anxiety. In this conversation, Howard Cooper discusses unconventional breathing techniques, particularly focusing on air hunger and its relationship with anxiety. He explains how dysfunctional breathing patterns can lead to heightened sensitivity to carbon dioxide, resulting in feelings of suffocation. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of teaching resilience to children and modelling healthy responses to anxiety. Howard critiques traditional therapeutic approaches, advocating for more immediate and supportive methods to help individuals manage their anxiety and breathing issues effectively.

Keywords

anxiety, mental health, therapy, memory, storytelling, airhunger, solution-focused therapy, personal change, Howard Cooper, James Penney, breathing techniques, air hunger, anxiety, carbon dioxide tolerance, resilience, parenting, mental health, therapy, unconventional methods, Buteykobreathing