Box breathing is one of the simplest somatic tools to reduce stress or overwhelm as often as needed. Some recommendations:
⚪️ When to Use:
1. Daily Routine: Practice for 5–10mins 1-2x daily, ideally morning & eve, to ⬇️ stress levels
2. Before Stressful Situations: Use immediately before high-pressure meetings, presentations, or decision-making moments to stay calm & focused 🧠
3. During Acute Stress: When feeling overwhelmed or anxious to regain control 😩
4. Post-Stress Recovery: Use after a particularly challenging task to reset & ⬇️ cortisol levels
⚪️ Scientifically proven benefits for combating burnout and enhancing high performance:
1. ⬇️ Stress & Cortisol Levels 📉
• Activates parasympathetic nervous system (rest-and-digest), counteracting the fight-or-flight response
• ⬇️ cortisol, the stress hormone, which is often elevated in individuals experiencing burnout
2. ⬆️ Emotional Regulation ☺️
• ⬆️ activity in the prefrontal cortex, the area responsible for decision-making and self-control
• ⬇️ activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear center, fostering a sense of calm
3. ⬆️ Focus & Cognitive Performance 🧠
• ⬆️ oxygen delivery to the brain, ⬆️ clarity, creativity & focus
• Synchronizes brainwave activity, promoting a flow state where high performance thrives
4. ⬆️ Heart Rate Variability (HRV) ❤️
• HRV is a marker of resilience & stress recovery. Box breathing ⬆️ HRV by balancing the autonomic nervous system.
(Higher HRV = ⬆️ performance, ⬆️ recovery, ⬇️ risk of burnout)
5. ⬇️ Blood Pressure & Heart Rate ❤️
• By slowing the breath, box breathing signals the body to relax, ⬇️ blood pressure & heart rate (cardiovascular benefits for those who are stressed)
6. Facilitates Mindfulness & Presence 🧘♀️
• Encourages mindfulness by anchoring the mind to the rhythm of breathing.
• Enhances self-awareness, which is crucial for managing burnout & maintaining optimal performance
By using box breathing consistently, individuals can significantly improve their resilience to stress, enhance performance, & prevent or recover more effectively from burnout
#peakperformance #burnoutprevention #burnoutrecovery #boxbreathing #stressreduction #somatichealing #resilience
Did you know that Box Breathing is used by Navy SEALs to remain calm in high-stress situations? What makes this technique extra effective is that it's easy to remember when you are feeling overwhelmed.
Enabling senior leaders to navigate complex challenges, see more perspectives & flourish. Enhancing results, deepening relationships & boosting wellbeing for a more productive, peaceful & joyful life
1wThe simplicity of box breathing is great The rhythm created by the box method is the key to its success in managing stress. Some people find this particular rhythm uncomfortable, especially the long holds, it’s ok, you can find one that suits you. As long as you keep that rhythm constant it will help Eg you may prefer - exhale 4 secs, pause 2, inhale 3 secs, pause 1. This will work too, if you keep each breath cycle in this pattern for a few minutes Not as simple to remember as box but easier to do if it’s a rhythm that suits you better Experiment a little to find your rhythm Just 3 rhythmic breaths can begin to change how you feel 🙏🏻