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[00:00.70] At Myosin Marketing in Austin, Texas, the group employee meeting begins with an uncommon activity for a workplace.

[00:11.08] The members gather on Zoom and the head of the company, Sean Clayton, leads them through a deep-breathing exercise.

[00:22.50] Clayton says the activity helps his employees relax and to be willing to take creative risks.

[00:32.34] “At first they thought it was really weird,” he said, adding that most people turned off their cameras.

[00:41.11] But, after a couple of weeks, there was a change.

[00:46.16] The employees said the deep breathing felt good.

[00:51.21] Studies show that deep breathing can be an effective way to reduce tension, or stress, at work.

[01:01.04] But people may not think about their breathing while on the job.

[01:08.74] Workers who sit at computers for long periods tend to take shallow breaths as their shoulders slowly rise.

[01:20.16] Workers who spend the day on their feet in retail or health care may be too busy to center their attention on breathing.

[01:31.05] But there is good reason to stop what you are doing and take deep breaths, research suggests.

[01:39.28] Long-lasting stress can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Experts at the American Heart Association say it can be as harmful as secondhand smoke. Research suggests deep-breathing exercises can lower a person’s blood pressure and reduce anxiety.

[02:07.70] There are many benefits to deep breathing.

[02:10.10] For starters, it is free.

[02:12.75] It can be done anywhere.

[02:15.42] And unlike a 30-minute meditation practice, most deep breathing exercises do not take much time.

[02:25.52] Also, it gives you something to focus on – your breathing.

[02:31.36] Experts say that this can help to calm racing thoughts.

[02:38.27] Focusing on breathing for one to five minutes can help you clear your mind and let you “get back to focusing on the one thing you want to accomplish,” said Glenn Levine.

[02:53.41] He is a heart and blood system doctor and professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

[03:02.97] A good way to do deep breathing exercises is outside, Levine said.

[03:10.15] However, if that is not possible, doing them at a desk works.

[03:16.80] “Instead of focusing on the screen or work, just focus on your breathing.

[03:23.44] If possible,” Levine said, “close your eyes.”

[03:29.02] Even very busy people can find time for daily breathing exercises.

[03:36.19] Lisa Marie Deleveaux is a marketing professional and mother of five. She lost her job several months ago and has struggled to find a new one.

[03:51.07] Deleveaux wakes early most mornings before her children, to do breathing exercises.