Breathwork as a tool for unlocking creativity

We tend to think of creativity as a spark: sudden, unpredictable, even a little magical.

But the truth, according to neuroscience, is far more grounded.

Creativity thrives when the mind is clear, the nervous system is steady, and the brain slips into a state of relaxed alertness. That’s when the prefrontal cortex—your brain’s innovation and problem-solving powerhouse—can really get to work.

Unfortunately, most workplaces don’t exactly foster that vibe. Constant deadlines, Slack pings, and back-to-back meetings leave people running on cortisol. That’s not just exhausting; it’s creativity’s worst enemy.

The breath-creativity connection

Breathwork, particularly conscious connected breathwork, has been shown to regulate the autonomic nervous system, reducing stress and increasing mental clarity (Fincham et al., 2023). When individuals engage in breathwork, they experience several benefits that directly contribute to creative thinking:

• Reactivates the prefrontal cortex
  When we’re stressed, the brain’s problem-solving centre, the prefrontal cortex, goes quiet. Breathwork helps calm the nervous system, bringing that part of the brain back online and restoring our ability to think creatively and solve complex problems.

• Supercharges neuroplasticity
  Creativity isn't just about having ideas. It’s about forming new connections. Breathwork boosts oxygen flow to the brain and supports the development of new neural pathways, laying the groundwork for innovation.

• Unlocks flow states
  That effortless, high-focus zone where great ideas seem to appear out of nowhere? That’s a flow state. Breathwork helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, making it easier to drop into this powerful state of creative performance.

• Sharpens intuition and pattern recognition
  Breathwork enhances interoception, our internal awareness, which is linked to stronger intuition and the ability to spot patterns. It helps us connect dots that others might miss and see opportunities hiding in plain sight.

Breathing room for better ideas

If organisations want innovation, they can’t just demand creativity on cue. They have to design for it. That includes creating the literal and mental space for people to breathe.

Breathwork is a science-backed, low-cost tool to help teams tap into their best thinking. And in a world that’s moving fast pace, that’s exactly what we need: sharper minds, bolder ideas, and workplaces that remember the power of taking a minute to breathe.

We provide evidence-based programs to enhance workplace well-being, foster resilience, and build thriving teams. Our services include:

• Psychosocial Risk Training – Aligning workplaces with ISO 45003 standards to create psychologically safe environments.

• Leadership Resilience Workshops – Equipping leaders with breathwork and neuroscience-backed tools to drive engagement and well-being.

• Workplace Breathwork Sessions – Helping employees manage stress, improve focus, and enhance collaboration.

• Custom Well-Being Programs – Tailored initiatives designed to support organisational health and sustainability.

Is your organisation ready to unlock its creative potential?
Contact BodyMind Corporate today to integrate breathwork into your workplace.

References

• Black Dog Institute (2023). Psychosocial Risk and Workplace Well-Being.

• Fincham, B., et al. (2023). Effect of Breathwork on Stress and Mental Health: Meta-Analysis of Randomised-Controlled Trials. Nature.

• Faye, S. (2023). Neuroscience of Human Potential and Collective Coherence. stefaniefaye.com.