Notes
Blog
Practices from the Shorts and notes, written out properly, plus plain guides to the questions people ask most.
Start here
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A Short Alternative to Deep Work (and to Indistractable)
Deep Work is a good book. Here is what to read if you want something shorter.
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The Best Short Book on Attention for a Distracted Mind
Short books on attention, compared, including mine.
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The Best Short Book to Stop Overthinking
Short books on overthinking, compared honestly, including mine.
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A Short Alternative to Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Why We Sleep is a big, important book. Here are shorter ways in, and what each one gives up.
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The Best Book for Rumination and Replaying Conversations
Books on the replay loop, compared by approach and length, and who each one suits.
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An Easy Breathwork Book You Can Finish in an Evening
Breathwork books sorted by the one thing most lists skip: how long they take to finish.
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Books on Short Breathing Exercises: Ten Picks and How Short They Really Are
Ten breathing books people name most, sorted by how short and simple the exercises actually are.
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Best Breathing Book for Anxious Moments: One You Can Use Mid-Worry
Some breathing books explain anxiety. Fewer give you something you can still do once it has started. Here is the difference.
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A Short Alternative to Breath by James Nestor
Nestor’s Breath is long and story-led. Here are shorter books, what each one leaves out, and who each one suits.
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Best Breathing Book for Beginners: Pick by What You Want
No single winner. The right first breathing book depends on what you want from it, so here they are by goal.
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A Short Alternative to The Oxygen Advantage
The Oxygen Advantage is a training programme. Here are shorter, easier books and what each one gives up.
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The Breathing Book by Donna Farhi: A Shorter Alternative
Farhi’s classic and my short book share one idea: undo, don’t add. Here is how they differ.
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Short Self-Help Books on Breathing, Sleep and Stress for Busy People
Four short books, one daily practice each, and honest alternatives if they are not for you.
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A Short Book on Sleep Habits (for People Who Try Too Hard to Sleep)
Why We Sleep is long. Here are shorter sleep books by approach and page count, and who each one suits.
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A Short Alternative to The Power of Now
The Power of Now is long and spiritual. Here are shorter books, including a plain one, and who each suits.
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Can’t Stop Thinking About Your Breathing? How to Hand It Back
Stuck breathing on purpose? Why fighting the awareness keeps it stuck, one short practice to hand the breath back, and when to get help.
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How to Calm Anxiety Fast: Breathe Out and Look Around
A slow breath out with your eyes open, naming one thing you see each time. What helps fast, what makes it louder, and when to get help.
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The Physiological Sigh: How to Do It, Gently
Two breaths in, one long breath out. How to do the physiological sigh gently, when to use it, and the mistakes that make it backfire.
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Breathing Exercises for Longevity: What the Research Actually Says
Slow breathing, heart rate variability and a longer life: what is linked, what is not proven, and one honest first step.
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Sleep and Longevity: Why Regular Sleep May Matter More Than Hours
Short sleep, long sleep and a regular schedule: what is linked with a longer life, what the studies cannot tell you, and one first step.
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Short Breathing Books Compared: Which One Fits You
Seven breathing books side by side, including mine, and who each one suits.
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4-7-8 vs Box Breathing: Which One to Use, and When
What 4-7-8 and box breathing each do, which one fits sleep and which fits a tense moment, and what to try if the holds feel tight.
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A Breathing Exercise for a Panic Attack: Slow the Out-Breath
Breathe out first, keep the breath in small, slow the out-breath. Why gulping air makes panic worse, and what to do after.
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Long Exhale Breathing: How to Do It and Why It Calms You
How to make the breath out longer than the breath in, why it settles you, and how it compares to 4-7-8 and box breathing.
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A Breathing Exercise for Anxiety You Can Do in One Minute
A soft breath in, a slower breath out, about a minute. Plus why big deep breaths can backfire and which technique to pick.
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How to Fall Asleep Fast by Trying Less
Slower out-breaths, one dull thing for the mind to rest on, and what to do if you are still awake after twenty minutes.
All posts
-
A Short Alternative to Deep Work (and to Indistractable)
Deep Work is a good book. Here is what to read if you want something shorter.
-
The Best Short Book on Attention for a Distracted Mind
Short books on attention, compared, including mine.
-
The Best Short Book to Stop Overthinking
Short books on overthinking, compared honestly, including mine.
-
A Short Alternative to Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Why We Sleep is a big, important book. Here are shorter ways in, and what each one gives up.
-
The Best Book for Rumination and Replaying Conversations
Books on the replay loop, compared by approach and length, and who each one suits.
-
An Easy Breathwork Book You Can Finish in an Evening
Breathwork books sorted by the one thing most lists skip: how long they take to finish.
-
Books on Short Breathing Exercises: Ten Picks and How Short They Really Are
Ten breathing books people name most, sorted by how short and simple the exercises actually are.
-
Best Breathing Book for Anxious Moments: One You Can Use Mid-Worry
Some breathing books explain anxiety. Fewer give you something you can still do once it has started. Here is the difference.
-
A Short Alternative to Breath by James Nestor
Nestor’s Breath is long and story-led. Here are shorter books, what each one leaves out, and who each one suits.
-
Best Breathing Book for Beginners: Pick by What You Want
No single winner. The right first breathing book depends on what you want from it, so here they are by goal.
-
A Short Alternative to The Oxygen Advantage
The Oxygen Advantage is a training programme. Here are shorter, easier books and what each one gives up.
-
The Breathing Book by Donna Farhi: A Shorter Alternative
Farhi’s classic and my short book share one idea: undo, don’t add. Here is how they differ.
-
Short Self-Help Books on Breathing, Sleep and Stress for Busy People
Four short books, one daily practice each, and honest alternatives if they are not for you.
-
A Short Book on Sleep Habits (for People Who Try Too Hard to Sleep)
Why We Sleep is long. Here are shorter sleep books by approach and page count, and who each one suits.
-
A Short Alternative to The Power of Now
The Power of Now is long and spiritual. Here are shorter books, including a plain one, and who each suits.
-
Can’t Stop Thinking About Your Breathing? How to Hand It Back
Stuck breathing on purpose? Why fighting the awareness keeps it stuck, one short practice to hand the breath back, and when to get help.
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Body Scan Breath: A Midday Check-In From the Feet Up
A few minutes of moving attention up the body, one out-breath at a time, without fixing anything.
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The Morning Breath: Two Minutes Before the Phone
Two minutes sitting on the side of the bed, before the day gets its first say.
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How to Calm Anxiety Fast: Breathe Out and Look Around
A slow breath out with your eyes open, naming one thing you see each time. What helps fast, what makes it louder, and when to get help.
-
The Physiological Sigh: How to Do It, Gently
Two breaths in, one long breath out. How to do the physiological sigh gently, when to use it, and the mistakes that make it backfire.
-
Breathing Exercises for Longevity: What the Research Actually Says
Slow breathing, heart rate variability and a longer life: what is linked, what is not proven, and one honest first step.
-
Sleep and Longevity: Why Regular Sleep May Matter More Than Hours
Short sleep, long sleep and a regular schedule: what is linked with a longer life, what the studies cannot tell you, and one first step.
-
The Exhale Practice, Written Out
The one-minute Short, written out slowly, with what to expect in the pause.
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Short Breathing Books Compared: Which One Fits You
Seven breathing books side by side, including mine, and who each one suits.
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Notice Your Breath Before You Change It
Thirty seconds of looking at the breath before you try to improve it.
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Waking at 3am? Leave the Clock Alone
The first minute of a 3am waking, without the clock and without the fight.
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The Evening Close: Ending the Day on Purpose
Two minutes before bed to tell your mind the working day is finished.
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The Return: A Three-Minute Sit for Wandering Attention
Three minutes, one anchor, and the one move that trains attention: coming back.
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4-7-8 vs Box Breathing: Which One to Use, and When
What 4-7-8 and box breathing each do, which one fits sleep and which fits a tense moment, and what to try if the holds feel tight.
-
A Breathing Exercise for a Panic Attack: Slow the Out-Breath
Breathe out first, keep the breath in small, slow the out-breath. Why gulping air makes panic worse, and what to do after.
-
Long Exhale Breathing: How to Do It and Why It Calms You
How to make the breath out longer than the breath in, why it settles you, and how it compares to 4-7-8 and box breathing.
-
A Breathing Exercise for Anxiety You Can Do in One Minute
A soft breath in, a slower breath out, about a minute. Plus why big deep breaths can backfire and which technique to pick.
-
How to Fall Asleep Fast by Trying Less
Slower out-breaths, one dull thing for the mind to rest on, and what to do if you are still awake after twenty minutes.