Zsombor Szabo (Balance Breathing): Breathing as a physiological tool for performance and prevention in the workplace

During the HR Evolution Summit 2026, Zsombor Szabo, Co-founder of Balance Breathing, shared with us his conviction on a pillar of performance that is often underestimated: physiological self-regulation. For him, the sustainability of mental health and productivity in the workplace rests on an alchemy between mastering the breath and integrating well-being into the heart of the collective. 

Supporting mental health and performance in the workplace now requires much more than theoretical training. In a working world where roughly 20% of employees experience burnout during their careers, the ability to effectively regulate stress on a daily basis is becoming a true matter of organizational survival. This is precisely the vision carried by Balance Breathing, where Zsombor Szabo embodies a dynamic where stress management is no longer seen as a "perk," but as an essential physiological mechanism to master.

At Balance Breathing, the approach relies on a fascinating scientific explanation: our nervous system has a conscious part and an autonomic part (which manages heart rate, blood pressure, or cortisol levels). While it is impossible to consciously command your stress levels to "chill down," breathing acts as a unique bridge between these two systems. By controlling it through deep inhales and long exhales, it becomes possible to "hack" into the nervous system to mechanically reduce your heart rate and stress hormones.

To encourage this regulation on a daily basis, Zsombor Szabo suggests very concrete applications. For example, he invites team leads to initiate a simple one-minute breathing exercise at the beginning of big team meetings. This approach helps to calm racing minds, anchor employees in the present moment, and generate much more empathetic listening among colleagues.

In a context where employees need to be focused and sharp to carry out their core jobs—whether in marketing, sales, or recruiting—this alchemy between physiology and management fulfills an essential mission. Far from being a simple "soft benefit" or an HR freebie, breathwork becomes a shield against burnout and a guarantor of the company's overall performance.

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