Is Your "Calm" Actually a Secret Energy Leak?

I recently sat down with a senior leader.

It was an early, quiet morning.

She felt completely relaxed.

But her biology was telling a different story.

I asked her to count her breaths per minute.

As she measured, I watched.

For every one breath I took, she had already finished three.

The result: 20 breaths per minute.

For many modern professionals, 18–20 breaths per minute feels “normal.”

They may feel calm, yet they are breathing at a rate that often goes along with a more switched‑on, stress‑tilted nervous system.

Why this is a “Secret Energy Leak”

Most people think overbreathing means gasping for air. It’s not.

It’s often light, shallow, and just a bit too fast for what the body really needs.

When you’re breathing close to 20 times a minute at rest, you’re more likely to be sending a subtle “stay alert” signal through your nervous system. 

Over time, that can waste energy and leave you feeling wired but tired, even if your life looks calm on the outside.

You’re not only tired because you’re busy; for many people, the way they breathe quietly drains their battery in the background.

The “Sweet Spot” for Regulation and Performance

Scientific testing suggests that a much slower rhythm—around 6 to 8 breaths per minute—is a powerful zone for nervous-system regulation and recovery.

This is often called coherent or resonance breathing.

In this state, research shows that:

1. Your heart rhythm and breathing fall into a more coherent pattern, boosting heart rate variability.

2. Your nervous system shifts toward “rest and digest,” improving emotional balance and stress resilience.

Many people notice clearer focus, steadier mood, and better decision-making after just a few minutes of practice.

Not magic—just physiology working in your favour.