We all have a responsibility to look after ourselves at work and whilst mental health provision in the workplace is improving for some, there are many hidden stressors that can prove hard for us humans to identify.

That is, until we are educated about how we breathe at work.

What!? Are you having a giraffe?!?

I know but, have you ever sat on a beach or holiday location not angry, emotional or triggered by anything or anyone?

Nice feeling eh. That is driven by how you are breathing. Science tells us this.

The point about the breath being your ‘anchor’ is that it’s a way of re-balancing how you feel.

If you check in with yourself daily and are honest with yourself, if you are being negative in many of your feelings, ask yourself why.

This state has an impact on your physical health and your immunity.

We cannot separate the two.

Without an awareness of this, that’s a hidden stressor.

Yes you can blame others but there are tools to help you make sure you don’t absorb other people’s moods/behaviours, etc.

BTW, often, it’s not about others. It’s about you and your attitude and what’s driving it.

One of those ‘tools’ i referred to above is the breath and breathwork.

Having an awareness of your daily inner chatter is huge because going back to your holiday mood…you’re actually in what’s known as equanimity whilst on annual leave.

Don’t think of equanimity as chilled but rather, as ‘composed’ especially in potentially stressful situations.

How can you replicate that beach mood in work?

This is the power of the breath.

There is enough empirical evidence now being written about the breath in leading business periodicals, especially in the States, speaking of how the breath can eliminate you feeling ‘spent’ most days as a leader.

Dysfunctionally breathing daily at work, via mouth and chest is your biggest hidden stressor. It can also ruin your sleep performance.

The video extract is just one small hack as part of an extensive list of measures you can take to avoid feeling stressed to hell/hugely overwhelmed daily.

Reach out and we can arrange for me/my team to share more with you for your and your own team’s awareness too.

As a reminder from the video, avoid that temptation to inhale then type into your tech every time you use it. Even if it’s a very positive message to respond to, typing on the inhale is a (albeit hidden) stress response.

For more information about our events, courses and workshops, please contact me via joel@sniffsighyawn.com