Did you know that there is a connection between your stress and breath? More specifically, how you use your breath can have a massive impact on your stress levels as well as your overall emotional well-being. And when you have a deeper understanding of this connection, it allows you to better manage your stress by simply using your breath in more conscious ways. 

That’s why in today’s post, I’m going to show you how you can use your breath effectively to better manage your stress. Keep reading to learn more. 

Stressor vs. Stress Response

Let’s break this down a little bit. A stressor is something that happens. For example, someone cuts you off in traffic, your boss doesn’t like a report you submitted, your kids make a mess in the kitchen for you to come home to after a long day’s work, etc. A stressor is some type of external circumstance that creates a negative emotional response within you. 

A stress response, on the other hand, is the emotional reaction inside you that you feel as a result of the external stressor. Now, here’s the thing: We can’t always control the stressor, but we have complete control over the stress response. 

Mind Follows the Breath

Here’s the truth: Mind follows the breath, and the body follows the mind. For this reason, it’s important to learn how to really control your breath (especially when you feel anxious or stressed out). Here’s what you can do: Take slow, deep breaths. This will help to calm your mind when you begin to feel emotional or triggered by a particular situation. 

Fast, shallow breaths make the mind feel anxious. As a result, learning how to control and use your breath properly is one of the fastest and most effective ways to control your nervous system. Where the breath flows, the mind goes.

Final Thoughts

We at Certified Flourishing Coach are a team of coaches and facilitators who work from an evidence-based framework that supports personal and professional growth. And the best part is that we welcome you to be a part of our winning team. So, if you’re ready to start flourishing in both life and business, contact us today to learn more.

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About the Author

Nirmal Singh is a Certified Business Coach and founder of Humble Lion Coaching, where he supports individuals and groups in building resilience, clarity, and authentic presence. For more than a decade, he has worked in transformational coaching and training, drawing on trauma-informed approaches, including Compassionate Inquiry, created by Dr. Gabor Maté and Sat Dharam Kaur, ND, and the Beyond Addiction – Recover Your True Self program developed by Sat Dharam Kaur and integrating Dr. Maté’s teachings to support resilience, healthy habits, and meaningful change.

Earlier in his career, Nirmal spent over 24 years in advertising client services, an experience that sharpened his skills in client relationships and organizational awareness. Today, he integrates that background with his coaching expertise to help people and organizations thrive with clarity, compassion, and purpose.