With the rapid pace of work and mounting stress levels it has become paramount to discover effective strategies to reduce stress and boost productivity.
One simple yet powerful technique that has gained significant attention in recent years is mindful breathing.
By consciously focusing on our breath, we can tap into a wealth of benefits that not only enhance our well-being but also improve our performance in the workplace.
In this article, we will explore the power of mindful breathing and how it can transform the way we approach our work. From reducing stress levels and increasing focus to enhancing creativity and fostering better communication, incorporating mindful breathing practices into our daily routine can have a profound impact on our overall productivity.
So, if you’re ready to unlock the full potential of your mind and create a more harmonious work environment, join us as we delve into the world of mindful breathing and discover the transformative effects it can have on your professional life.
Understanding the impact of stress in the workplace
The modern workplace can be a breeding ground for stress. Long hours, tight deadlines, and high-pressure situations can take a toll on our mental and physical wellbeing.
Chronic stress not only affects our overall health but also hampers our ability to stay focused and productive. In fact, studies have shown that stress can lead to decreased cognitive function, reduced creativity, and impaired decision-making abilities.
Unstress Health Stress & Health in the Workplace report showed that 94% of employees reported experiencing stress at work while 61% reported it having some impact on their ability to do the work.
The right kind of stress can be helpful in focusing and pushing work forward, however without the right tools to manage that stress it can go unchecked and become unproductive.
What is mindful breathing?
Mindful breathing is a simple yet profound practice that involves paying attention to our breath in the present moment, without judgment. It is a fundamental aspect of mindfulness, which is the practice of bringing our attention to the present moment and fully engaging with our experiences.
By focusing on our breath, we can anchor ourselves in the present and cultivate a sense of calm and clarity. We are also able to alter our body chemistry and hormones, switching our physical and emotional state.
The science behind mindful breathing and its benefits
The benefits of mindful breathing extend far beyond the realm of spirituality and personal growth. Breathing has 3 main functions in the body:
- Delivering oxygen through the blood to where it is needed in the body
- Removing carbon dioxide (a waste product) from our metabolism
- Maintaining optimal carbon dioxide levels in the lungs which is key in balancing body chemistry
When we engage in mindful breathing, our body’s stress response system, known as the sympathetic nervous system, is calmed, leading to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels. This, in turn, helps to reduce stress and promote a sense of relaxation and wellbeing.
We invited Dr Rosalba Courtney, with over 30 years of clinical practice to discuss the power of breathing with us, listen to the podcast here.
How mindful breathing reduces stress
One of the primary reasons mindful breathing is effective in reducing stress is its ability to activate the body’s relaxation response. When we focus on our breath, we shift our attention away from the thoughts and worries that often fuel stress.
This shift in attention allows us to break free from the grip of stress and enter a state of calm and clarity.
Additionally, mindful breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, also known as the “rest and digest” system, which counteracts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, responsible for the stress response.
The difference between breathing and breathing well
Mouths are for eating, noses are for breathing. Mouth breathing is often an overlooked factor in health and yet it brings with it a host of issues.
Mouth breathing causes the carbon dioxide levels in the lungs to go out of balance, potentially affecting every system in the body (e.g smooth muscle can contract when pH goes out of balance. Smooth muscle is throughout the body including bladder, blood vessels and digestive system).
Mouth breathing also means you don’t produce as much nitric oxide, which has many important functions throughout the body including antimicrobial, improving circulation and regulatory functions. Mouth breathing is a form of dysfunctional breathing.

On the other hand, to breathe well is to breathe through your nose. Breathing through your nose means carbon dioxide is better balanced and also helps filter bacteria and viruses better.
Additionally breathing through your nose stimulates the production of nitric oxide, one of the body’s most important regulators, and dilates blood vessels making your blood flow more easily.
⇒ Download our guide to knowing if you are breathing well
Mindful breathing techniques for the workplace
Incorporating mindful breathing into our daily work routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are a few simple techniques that can help you harness the power of mindful breathing in the workplace:
Deep Belly Breathing: Find a comfortable sitting position and place one hand on your belly. Take a slow, deep breath in through your nose, allowing your belly to rise. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly fall. Repeat this process several times, focusing on the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your body.
Box Breathing: Visualize a square in your mind. Inhale slowly as you trace the first side of the square, hold your breath as you trace the second side, exhale as you trace the third side, and hold your breath again as you complete the square. Repeat this process several times, maintaining a steady and relaxed pace.
Counting Breath: Inhale deeply and silently count to four. Hold your breath for a count of four, then exhale slowly to a count of four. Pause for another count of four before repeating the process. Focus on the rhythm of your breath and the counting, allowing your mind to become fully present.
Use this Unstress animation to guide you through breathing in for four, holding for four, exhaling for four.
Incorporating mindful breathing into your daily routine
To reap the full benefits of mindful breathing, it’s important to make it a part of your daily routine. Here are a few tips to help you incorporate mindful breathing into your workday:
1. Set Reminders: Use your phone or computer to set reminders throughout the day to take a few moments for mindful breathing. These gentle reminders will help you stay consistent and make mindful breathing a habit.
2. Create Rituals: Incorporate mindful breathing into your existing daily rituals. For example, take a few deep breaths before starting a new task or during your lunch break. By associating mindful breathing with specific activities, you’ll be more likely to remember to practice it regularly.
3. Find Accountability Partners: Share your commitment to mindful breathing with a colleague or friend. Hold each other accountable and check in regularly to share your experiences and insights. Having someone to support and encourage you can make the practice feel more enjoyable and sustainable.
4. Mindful Breathing Before Meetings: Before entering a meeting take 2 minutes to practice mindful breathing. If you are stressed you’ll move from short rapid breaths to longer more effective breaths. The increase in oxygen will help give you a boost of energy while also entering the meeting with a clear mind.
Mindful breathing exercises for stress relief
When stress levels are high, taking a few minutes to engage in a mindful breathing exercise can work wonders. Here are a couple of exercises you can try:
1. 10 Deep Breaths: Sit in a quiet and comfortable place. Close your eyes and take ten deep breaths, focusing on the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your body. With each breath, imagine that you are inhaling calm and exhaling stress.
2. Body Scan: Start by taking a few deep breaths to relax your body and mind. Then, bring your attention to different parts of your body, starting from your toes and moving up to the top of your head. As you focus on each body part, take a deep breath in and release any tension or stress as you exhale.
Increasing productivity through mindful breathing

Here’s how mindful breathing can help:
1. Improved Focus: Mindful breathing trains our mind to stay present and focused on the task at hand. By directing our attention to our breath, we can reduce distractions and increase our ability to concentrate on the task at hand.
2. Enhanced Creativity: When our minds are cluttered with stress and worry, it becomes challenging to tap into our creative potential. Mindful breathing allows us to quiet the noise in our minds and create space for fresh ideas and insights to emerge.
3. Better Communication: Mindful breathing fosters a sense of calm and emotional stability, which can enhance our communication skills. By practicing mindful breathing, we can develop greater self-awareness and regulate our emotions, leading to more effective and empathetic communication with colleagues and clients.
Creating a mindful workplace culture
While individual mindfulness practices can have a significant impact on our well-being and productivity, creating a mindful workplace culture can amplify these benefits. Here are a few ways to foster a mindful workplace:
1. Lead by Example: As a leader or manager, embody mindfulness in your own actions and behaviors. Model the practice of mindful breathing and encourage your team members to follow suit.
2. Provide Resources: Offer resources and training programs on mindfulness and mindful breathing to your employees. This can include workshops, meditation sessions, or access to mindfulness apps or websites. At Unstress we have a core focus on empowering employees with the tools to understand what breathing well means and how to incorporate it into their routine.
3. Encourage Breaks: Encourage regular breaks throughout the workday, where employees can engage in mindful breathing or other stress-reducing activities. Recognize the importance of taking breaks and the positive impact it can have on overall productivity and well-being.
Breathing and workplace wellbeing program
After the heartbeat, breathing is the 2nd most frequent bodily function. As mentioned throughout the article it has a major impact on our body chemistry and stress levels. It’s a powerful tool that can transform our emotions from a state of anxiety, stress and inactivity, to calm, focused and productive.
A Workplace Wellbeing program that doesn’t address breathing is missing a major component of an employees health, as well as equipping employees with a free and accessible tool they all possess to instantly transform performance and boost productivity.
That is why breathing is one of our main focuses at Unstress to provide employees with a variety of tools to boost productivity and take control of their health.
Conclusion: Harnessing the power of mindful breathing to reduce stress and boost productivity
Mindful breathing is a simple yet powerful tool that can transform the way we approach our work.
By incorporating mindful breathing into our daily routine, we can reduce stress levels, enhance focus and creativity, and foster better communication. When practiced consistently, mindful breathing has the potential to create a more harmonious and productive work environment.
So, take a deep breath, embrace the power of mindful breathing to reduce stress and boost productivity, and unlock the full potential of your mind in the workplace.
Download our guide for knowing if you are breathing well

By recognising the extraordinary power of breathing well and taking proactive steps to improve its quality, you are making one of the biggest investments in your health.
By incorporating mindful breathing into our daily routine, we can reduce stress levels, enhance focus and creativity, and foster better communication.