Inhale flexibility, exhale ease

This week was busier than usual. It’s the last week before everyone heads off for winter break. Meetings got rescheduled. Projects needed finishing. My new breathwork routine got shuffled around. And this led to a revelation.

Two approaches to intentional breathing

The past couple weeks I’ve been pretty consistent with my breathwork. Around the same time each night. Same cozy spot. The variation was the breathing technique.

This week? I adapted.

I found myself doing breathing exercises at random times. Between calls. While waiting in checkout lines. Even while chopping vegetables for dinner.

Both approaches work! They do seem to serve different purposes.

The multitasking revelation

We multitask with breathing constantly. It’s how we stay alive! We breathe while walking. While thinking. While scrolling our phones.

Here’s what clicked for me this week.

There’s a real difference between “let me fit in some breathwork” and “this is my dedicated time.”

Both are intentional. Both reduce stress. But the experience feels completely different.

Scheduled meditation feels like…

When I set aside specific time for breathing practice, there’s a ritual quality. I settle in. I get comfortable. I close my eyes.

My nervous system gets the full message. This is relaxation time. Everything else can wait.

The calm goes deeper.

Spontaneous breathwork feels like…

When I practice breathing on the fly, it’s more like a quick tune-up. A moment to pause and recalibrate.

It stops stress before it builds up. Creates little pockets of calm throughout the day.

Super practical. And surprisingly effective.

Both approaches have value

Here’s what’s cool about breathwork. You can do it anywhere, anytime.

Both scheduled and spontaneous breathing are ongoing maintenance. They’re just different approaches.

For me, I feel an even deeper impact when it’s dedicated time rather than fitting it in. But there are times when you’ll really need those on-the-go couple of minutes.

Both methods require mindfulness.

Moving forward with breathwork

I’m excited about this flexibility.

Maybe scheduled meditation is my foundation. Spontaneous breathing is my daily toolkit.

Maybe some weeks favor one approach over another.

The goal isn’t rigid consistency. It’s smart adaptation.

The bigger picture: Any breathing that is more conscious than autopilot counts as progress.

How do you practice breathwork when life gets hectic? I’d love to hear your strategies.