Why breathwork belongs in the corporate workplace
In the wake of a global pandemic, market instability and ever-shifting ways of working, organisations are waking up to a simple truth: technical skills alone don’t build strong teams. What makes a team thrive is emotional resilience, clear communication, and the ability to stay grounded under pressure.
Chronic stress, job insecurity, and relentless workloads are no longer outliers. They’re baked into most modern workplaces and come at the cost of disengagement, burnout, and a breakdown in trust and collaboration.
That’s where breathwork comes in.
Once confined to yoga studios and wellness retreats, breathwork is now being recognised as a science-backed tool for self-regulation. From helping individuals manage stress and improve focus to creating space for better conversations and calmer reactions, breathwork can quietly but quickly transform the dynamics of a team.
And Occupational Health professionals are taking notice. Alongside mental health training and leadership development, breathwork is emerging as a low-cost, high-impact practice to support wellbeing at every level of an organisation.
Incorporating breathwork into the rhythm of the workday doesn’t just help people breathe a little easier—it lays the foundation for a more connected, energised and psychologically safe workplace.
Here are a few ways breathwork enhances team performance:
1. Improves psychological safety
Psychological safety is the ability to express ideas, ask questions, and take risks without fear of judgment, an essential trait for innovation and collaboration. Research by Faye (2023) highlights that breathwork helps regulate the nervous system, reducing fear-based responses and creating a calm space for open communication within teams.
2. Strengthens team connection and coherence
Teams that breathe together sync their nervous systems, which can increase their collective coherence. Stefanie Faye’s research (2023) shows that breath-based regulation practices improve neural synchrony, which leads to heightened empathy, deeper collaboration, and increased trust among team members.
3. Proactively manage workplace stress and prevent burnout
Chronic stress negatively impacts teamwork, reducing patience, creativity, and adaptability.
A meta-analysis by Fincham et al. (2023) found that breathwork significantly lowers stress hormones, which improves resilience and emotional well-being.
Integrating breathwork into team routines can help prevent burnout and keep employees engaged.
4. Boosts focus and productivity
Breathwork enhances cognitive function by increasing oxygen flow to the brain, improving clarity, and sharpening decision-making skills. Regular practice helps employees stay present and focused, making team meetings and collaborative projects more efficient.
Strong teams don’t just happen. They are cultivated through trust, communication, and an ongoing commitment to workplace well-being. Breathwork is a simple yet powerful tool that can enhance team performance, foster collaboration, and create workplaces where employees feel supported and engaged.
Ready to strengthen your team’s resilience and cohesion? Contact BodyMind Corporate today to integrate breathwork into your workplace.
References
Black Dog Institute (2023). Psychosocial Risk and Workplace Well-Being.
Faye, S. (2023). Neuroscience of Human Potential and Collective Coherence. stefaniefaye.com.