Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

How to Find Clarity Through the Conscious Breath There's nothing wonky about breathing exercises. They are a vital part of many successful people's routines and coping mechanisms.

By Angel Gambino Edited by Frances Dodds

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Justin Paget | Getty Images

Take a deep breath in, and slowly let it out. As one of the most innate, natural bodily functions, we rarely stop to notice our breathing. However, as oxygen is essential to almost every chemical reaction in our bodies, the way we breathe is inextricably linked with our health and our minds.

Have you ever been told to "just breathe" or "take a deep breath"? Breathing is a central component of the nervous system and a vital source of the body's response to stress. We experience it every day. When we are caught in a stressful situation, our breathing becomes quicker and our heart rate increases. However, when we are aware of how these stressors affect our bodies, we can intentionally slow our breath and cultivate a sense of calmness.

From yoga to meditation, breathing is at the core of mindful practices across the globe. Breathwork is the practice of intentional breathing that slows down the breath to connect the mind and body. In fact, numerous studies have found that conscious, slow-paced breathing has a direct effect on the chemical levels in the brain, followed by an abundance of cognitive and health benefits including:

  • Reduced stress, anxiety, and pain

  • Positive emotions

  • Increased focus

  • Strengthened immune and respiratory systems

There are many types of breathwork practices that are used for a variety of purposes from increased athletic performance to holotropic breathwork that gives an out-of-body experience similar to that experienced under the influence of psychedelic drugs.

Related: 7 Proven Ways Meditating Prepares You for Success

The 4-7-8 Method

Of the most common to alleviate stress is mindful breathing, which focuses on the sensations of the breath to promote concentration and relaxation. One easy technique that you can do when you begin to feel anxious is the 4-7-8 method of breathwork, which relaxes the body and mimics some of the benefits of meditation (for those of us who can't sit still enough to meditate).

Practicing this method twice a day for eight weeks will give you greater clarity to make better decisions, rather than when you are in fight or flight mode. If one of your two sessions is just before bed, it can also help put ease your mind into deep slumber more easily. So, how do you do it?

  1. Sit up straight in a chair.

  2. Exhale completely making a "whoosh' sound as you release air.

  3. Close your mouth and inhale through your nose, deep into your stomach, to a count of four.

  4. Hold your breath for a count of seven.

  5. Exhale completely with a big "whoosh' sound until you putter out at the mental count of eight.

In just a few minutes you are physiologically positioned to relax and think more clearly. In a recent Zoom meeting, my colleagues and I tried out the method to kick-start our call and help the conversation flow more easily and positively.

Breathing exercises are used by all kinds of successful people

Even distinguished figures like Beyoncé rely on breathing techniques to invoke calmness. In an interview with ELLE, the singer said that she "use[s] tools like acupuncture, meditation, visualization, and breathing exercises" to support her health.

Gwyneth Paltrow, actress and founder of health and lifestyle brand Goop, is also an advocate for breathwork. Her breathing instructor, Ashley Nesse, boasts the many mental health benefits of conscious breathing, and how it promotes productivity. She even mentions the importance of mindful breathing when scrolling through social media or checking emails. With the amount of information overload, it is crucial to take a moment to catch our breath and center our awareness.

Although breathing happens naturally and involuntarily, we can control the way we breathe. Breathing fully with intention centers us, and is the most accessible way to calm. It stabilizes the mind and reduces stress to create a space for clarity. You don't need any equipment or meditation space, all you need to do is just breathe.

Related: I Tried This Oprah Meditation Hack Every Day for Two Weeks. Here ...

Angel Gambino

Partner, Prehype

Angel Gambino is a successful angel investor, entrepreneur, annd former corporate executive, who's invested in, or mentored 100+ startups as a Techstars Mentor & WIRED Top 100 Founder. She has launched some of the first mobile, streaming, and social media platforms in the world.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Starting a Business

She Started a Business With $300 After Getting Laid Off. It Made $300,000 in Year 1 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Company.

Bobbie Racette wanted to revamp the virtual assistance space — and provide job opportunities for underrepresented communities at the same time.

Real Estate

How Property Management Software Can Help Landlords Increase Their Revenue and Avoid 'Nightmare' Tenants

Find out how modern property management software can make your life easier (and boost your bottom line) by helping you identify and avoid "nightmare" tenants.

Leadership

He Raced at 330 MPH Before Taking Over the Family Business — Here's What Being in the Driver's Seat Taught Him About Leadership

Morgan Lucas, former professional drag racer, talks about getting behind the wheel of Lucas Oil as its new CEO.

Thought Leaders

Own Your Expertise — 13 Ways to Elevate Your Thought Leadership

Here's how to elevate your expertise and leverage your knowledge to become a trusted authority and visionary in your specific area.

Franchise

McDonald's Launched a Happy Meal for the 30th Anniversary of a Classic '90s Sitcom — But There's a Catch

The promotion is only available in one country, so fans elsewhere are turning to resale platforms like eBay to buy the collectible toys.

Business News

'Not Yet Fully Autonomous': Tesla's Optimus Robots Stole the Show — But Were They Actually Controlled By Humans?

Musk said the $20,000 to $30,000 robot could perform household tasks like mowing lawns and putting away groceries.