20 Ways Deep Breathing Reduces Cortisol Instantly

Lisette Marie

15. Enhancing Athletic Performance and Recovery

Take a deep breath before next exercise. Photo Credit: Envato @gpointstudio

Beyond just calming, deep breathing can surprisingly boost physical performance and accelerate recovery, indirectly managing cortisol. During exercise, efficient breathing ensures optimal oxygen delivery, improving stamina and reducing oxidative stress. Post-exercise, intentional deep breathing aids recovery by activating the parasympathetic system, reducing muscle soreness, and facilitating repair processes. This means less physiological stress from intense training, leading to faster recovery and better overall hormonal balance, keeping performance-related cortisol spikes in check.

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15. Enhancing Athletic Performance and Recovery

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