2 min read

Executing Under Pressure:The Power of Controlled Breathing

Executing Under Pressure:The Power of Controlled Breathing

The Power of Your Breath: The Simplest Tool You’re Not Using

Truth be told—breathwork probably isn’t at the top of your priority list. 

StressBetween back-to-back (to back-to-back) meetings, emails piling up, and the never-ending demands of work and life, focusing on your breath might feel like one of the least important things for you to focus on. And why not? Your body does it automatically for you - no focus needed right?

But what if we told you that HOW YOUR BREATHE directly impacts your energy levels, mental clarity, execution success, and long-term health?

Most of us breathe just enough to survive...NOT to thrive. 

We stay in a cycle of shallow, unconscious breathing, keeping our nervous system in a low-grade state of stress all day long. And yet, we wonder why we feel exhausted, foggy, Incapable of performing, and overwhelmed.

Why Is Breathing Exercising Is Important?

Your breath is the fastest and most accessible tool you have to regulate stress!

Unlike other systems in your body that work automatically (like digestion or circulation), your breath is unique...you have some control over it, and by doing so, you can influence your physical and mental state.

Clarity

  • Better Focus & Clarity: Deep, intentional breathing increases oxygen flow to your brain, improving cognitive function and decision-making.
  • Less Stress & Anxiety: Breathwork signals your nervous system to shift from fight-or-flight mode into a state of calm and control.
  • More Energy & Resilience: Proper breathing improves circulation and oxygen delivery, keeping you energized throughout the day.
  • Better Sleep & Recovery: Regulating your breath can lower cortisol (the stress hormone), helping you unwind and sleep more restfully.

Why Should I Prioritize It?

You already have a full schedule, so adding “one more thing” might feel overwhelming. But here’s the thing—breathwork doesn’t take extra time. It integrates seamlessly into what you’re already doing. You don’t have to sit cross-legged in silence for an hour; you just need to start breathing with intention.

Think about it like this: if you ignore your physical health long enough, you feel it—tight shoulders, headaches, burnout. The same applies to your breathing. If you never train your breath, you stay in a cycle of stress and depletion. Prioritizing it isn’t about adding complexity; it’s about making what you’re already doing work better for you.

How Should I Prioritize It?

Start with small, practical shifts. You don’t need a special app or extra time in your day—just a moment of awareness.

  1. Before a meeting: Take 3 deep breaths, inhaling through your nose for 4 counts, exhaling slowly through your mouth for six counts. This helps reset your nervous system so you show up calm and present.
  2. During a stressful moment: Notice if your breath is shallow. Try extending your exhale—this instantly signals relaxation to your body.
  3. Before bed: Try box breathing (inhale for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 4, hold for 4). This slows your heart rate and prepares you for better sleep.
  4. While working: Set a reminder to check your posture and take a deep breath. Poor posture restricts lung capacity, keeping your breath (and energy) shallow.

It Doesn’t Feel Like I’m Getting Any Results—Why Should I Keep Doing This?

Like any skill, breathwork requires consistency. 

You wouldn’t go to the gym once and expect instant results. The benefits of breathwork compound over time—each intentional breath teaches your nervous system how to regulate more efficiently. Over time, stress doesn’t hit as hard, energy stays more consistent, and clarity becomes second nature.

The Bottom Line

OvercomeYou’re already breathing. The question is—are you doing it in a way that fuels you? When that next anxiety riddled moment comes, would it not be valuable to have a tool in your toolbox to settle you down so you can execute?

Prioritizing your breath doesn’t mean overhauling your routine; it means making small, intentional shifts that create lasting impact.

Take a breath now. Deep inhale. Slow exhale. You just gave yourself a moment of clarity in a busy day. Imagine what’s possible if you did that more often.

Now, will you?

 

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