Tag

workplace-wellness

Browsing

5-Minute Stress Buster

In our fast-paced world, stress has become an unwelcome companion in our daily lives. However, a powerful tool for managing stress is right under our noses – or rather, in our lungs. Breathwork, the practice of consciously controlling our breathing, can be a game-changer in how we handle stress. Today, we’ll explore a simple yet effective 5-minute breathwork exercise that you can easily incorporate into your daily routine.

The Power of Breath

Before we dive into the exercise, let’s briefly touch on why breathwork is so effective:

  1. Physiological Impact: Controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm the body’s stress response.
  2. Mental Clarity: Focusing on your breath can help clear your mind and improve concentration.
  3. Accessibility: Breathwork can be practiced anywhere, at any time, without any special equipment.

The 5-Minute Stress Buster Exercise

This exercise, known as “Box Breathing” or “Square Breathing,” is used by everyone from athletes to Navy SEALs to manage stress and improve focus.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4.
  2. Hold your breath for a count of 4.
  3. Exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of 4.
  4. Hold your breath again for a count of 4.
  5. Repeat this cycle for 5 minutes.

Incorporating the 5-Minute Stress Buster into Your Day

To make this practice a habit, try integrating it into your daily routine:

  • Morning Ritual: Start your day with this exercise to set a calm tone.
  • Pre-Meeting Preparation: Use it before important meetings or presentations to center yourself.
  • Lunch Break: Take a breathing break instead of a coffee break.
  • Commute Companion: Practice while on public transport or waiting in traffic.
  • Bedtime Routine: Wind down before sleep with this calming exercise.

Remember, consistency is key. Even if you can’t do the full 5 minutes, any amount of conscious breathing can be beneficial.

The Science Behind the Stress Buster

Research has shown that controlled breathing exercises like this one can:

  • Lower blood pressure and heart rate
  • Reduce levels of stress hormones in the blood
  • Improve immune function
  • Increase feelings of calmness and well-being

By practicing regularly, you’re not just managing stress in the moment – you’re building resilience for future stressors.

Conclusion

Breathwork doesn’t require hours of your time or any special equipment. With just 5 minutes a day, you can significantly impact your stress levels and overall well-being. Give the 5-Minute Stress Buster a try and experience the power of breath in your daily life.

About the Author – Sharyn-With-A-Why

To find out more about Sharyn, take a look at her profile in Practitioners Corner

Incorporating breathwork into your daily routine can be simple and effective, when our students begin their facilitator training with Breathing Space, we encourage a short daily practice and a longer breathwork at least once a week:

  1. Morning practice: Start with 5-10 minutes of rhythmic breathing upon waking.
  2. Commute breaths: Practice a gentle lung stretch during your commute (if not driving, for example at traffic lights).
  3. Work breaks: Take short breathing breaks between tasks. Perhaps try 4-7-8 breath whilst the kettle is boiling.
  4. Mealtime mindfulness: Practice breath awareness before meals, just noticing how you are feeling and how you are breathing.
  5. Stress response: Use quick techniques like box breathing during stressful moments.
  6. Exercise warm-up/cool-down: Incorporate breathwork before and after workouts.
  7. Bedtime ritual: Practice calming techniques before sleep, again rhythmic breathing is great.
  8. App reminders: Use smartphone apps to remind you to practice throughout the day.
  9. Pair with habits: Attach breathwork to existing habits like brushing your teeth.
  10. Mindful moments: Use daily activities (e.g., waiting in line) as cues for brief practice.

Start small and gradually increase. Consistency is key – even short, regular sessions can be highly beneficial. Experiment to find what works best for your lifestyle and needs. For me, I simply started with Breath Awareness at various points during the day, and developed my practice from there. I have to confess, this deteriorated during a particularly difficult time for me, and my regular longer breathworks actually kept me on track, so be aware and be kind to yourself.

What do you enjoy about breathwork and how has it helped you?

What I enjoy most about breathwork is its simplicity and power. Breathwork is always accessible; it’s something I carry with me wherever I go, an anchor that grounds me in any moment. It’s a tool that helps me connect with myself deeply and in ways that no other practice has. The act of breathing, especially conscious connected breathwork, brings a sense of presence that’s calming and empowering. It’s a reminder that I don’t need to control everything—each breath comes and goes, and with it, I can let go of old patterns, fears, and the need for control.

Breathwork has helped me in profound ways. It’s allowed me to accept myself as I am, to live with less anxiety and more ease. Through breathwork, I’ve learned to be present, even in challenging times. It’s helped me release tension, manage stress, and find peace in moments where I’d once feel overwhelmed. Most importantly, it’s helped me build resilience and acceptance within myself, and that, in turn, has made me a more grounded mum and teacher. Breathwork is my sanctuary, a place I can come back to again and again, knowing it will support and steady me.

Where did you complete your training (or where are you still in training)?

Graduate Facilitator, Mentor and Teacher at Breathing Space

Are you trained in any other modalities?

I am trained in Flower and Vibrational essence therapy, NLP, havening, EFT and mindfulness

How do they integrate with breathwork?

Flower essences, NLP, havening, EFT and mindfulness all integrate seamlessly with breathwork, each adding depth to the practice. Together, they support emotional release, shift limiting beliefs, and foster a sense of inner peace and resilience. Breathwork brings clients into a receptive state, allowing these therapies to work more profoundly. Whether enhancing emotional balance, cultivating joy, or releasing old patterns, these practices together provide a powerful, holistic approach for deep-rooted healing and transformation

What is your personal journey?

I started teaching at 21, full of energy and hope. Life in rural Donegal was busy, raising three children—two now in college and one still at home—and balancing family, work, and community. Losing my mum at 25 was a turning point, leaving a deep ache that I carried silently. Over time, stress and overwhelm took their toll, and I felt like I’d lost a sense of myself—not just as a teacher or mother but as a person.

Then I found breathwork and other holistic practices. It began as a few moments of peace but quickly became my path to healing. Gradually, I started releasing years of tension and self-judgment. I learned to let go, be present, and reconnect with myself. Breath by breath, I found strength, resilience, and a renewed sense of calm that has changed my life. Now, I approach teaching, motherhood, and life itself with more compassion, feeling grateful and grounded in each moment.

What do you stand for, and what do you stand against?

I stand for empowerment and nurturing—especially for women, mums, and teachers. My work is rooted in helping others reconnect with their innate power, embracing feminine energy, and living more mindfully and authentically. I value holistic well-being, promoting a life of balance, calm, and self-discovery through gentle yet transformative practices.

I stand for supporting foundational growth through intentional practices, such as breathing and mindset work, to foster inner calm and emotional resilience. I advocate for the importance of role modelling—encouraging mothers and teachers to embody the calm and balance they wish to pass on to teens and children, as I believe calm homes and classrooms begin with calm adults.

I stand for the celebration of womanhood and the healing power of feminine energy, challenging the societal tendency to overvalue masculine traits. My work centres on integration and choice, helping others understand that they can shape their emotions and experiences with awareness and intention.

I stand against rigid, overstressed environments that leave little room for calm and connection. I oppose the idea that women, mums, or teachers need to constantly give without replenishing themselves. I stand against the cultural conditioning that ignores the value of feminine energy and the holistic approach to well-being, as well as the outdated belief that emotions should be repressed rather than processed and honoured.

Additionally, I reject superficial quick fixes and toxic positivity and instead emphasise practices that create deep, sustainable change, calling out the “nonsense” of approaches that disregard the power of mindfulness and intentionality.

What is your greatest wish for your clients

My greatest wish for my clients is that they reconnect with their true selves and discover the power and peace that lies within them. I want them to realise that they have a choice in every moment—to shape their emotions, their responses, and their lives in ways that feel nourishing and authentic. I wish for them to find a sense of calm and resilience, so they can approach life’s challenges with grace and strength.

I hope they learn to embrace their feminine energy, valuing it as a powerful force for balance and healing in a world that often prizes the opposite. I want them to realise it’s ok not to be mindful, happy, in control all the time and that there is support for then in those times. I wish for them to create homes and environments that reflect tall this,, not only for themselves but for their children, students, and everyone they touch. Above all, I want them to feel empowered to live fully, joyfully, and with a deep-rooted sense of purpose and connection.

My Bio

Marie Doherty is a holistic wellbeing practitioner in Ireland. She is passionate about empowering women to embrace their innate strength and helping teachers lead a gentler, more mindful life. Having taught for over 30 years she understands the pressures of the classroom and the stresses of balancing school and home life. Using her skills and experience she equips teachers with the skills to create calm and balanced lives, initially using the breath. Her mission is to celebrate womanhood and bring more feminine energy to the world. Remember, calm homes begin with calm mums and calm schools begin with calm teachers.

Contact Details