Improved Wellbeing and Resilience via Breathwork Interventions for Computer Workers

IT workers who completed a 12-week or 8-week breathwork course reported enhanced wellbeing and relaxation. The course included weekly wellbeing content, live practice with discussion, and a breathing session for neuroplasticity. Participants found the guidance friendly and easy to follow. The findings suggest that such a breathing technique could help reduce stress and, over time, support wellbeing and resilience, key aspects of individual sustainability.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Context: Individual sustainability is undermined by continuous stress, a circumstance many software developers and computer workers are constantly exposed to via deadlines, over-commitment, and high workload. Purpose: We analyze the experience of IT workers when using a deep breathing practice to improve wellbeing, considering their perception of impacts in both benefits and challenges. Method: We imparted a 12-week breathwork course with IT workers as participants. The course was composed by a weekly program with a wellbeing content topic, a live practice with discussion followed by a breathing session for neuroplasticity. We repeated in a 8-weeks format. We conducted exit interviews after each course finished and conducted thematic analysis. Results: Participants reported a positive experience of enhanced wellbeing and relaxation. The guidance was perceived as friendly and easy to follow. Impact: The results of this research offer experiences of using a breathing technique that could be used to reduce stress levels, and in the long term, it could lay the foundations for improving wellbeing and resilience – two main pillars of individual sustainability.