Deep Breathing Sharpens Focus, Calms Nerves, and Wins British Open

Mark Twain famously called golf “a good walk spoiled.” If you have played the game you know how maddening it can be. It is one of the most mentally challenging sports. Sports psychologists and golf professionals consider golf to be about 90% mental, meaning that the game is mostly played with the spot between the ears—the mind. In a five hour round of golf it’s estimated it takes just a couple of minutes to execute all of the golf shots. The remaining time is spent playing the mental side of the game…just you and your thoughts.

Unlike most other sports, in golf you do not have the benefit of running or jumping which naturally stimulates a lot of oxygen intake through exertion. For these reasons professional golfers are keenly aware of the importance of breathing deeply to help keep their nerves calm, their emotions in check, and their mind quiet. Tom Watson, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, said that he didn’t learn how to win until he learned how to control his breathing.

In the final round of the 2013 British Open Golf Championship, the importance of deep breathing was center stage for millions of television viewers to witness. As Phil Mickelson was walking up to the final green with a chance to win, television commentator Paul Azinger (another great golf champion) was talking about how important breathing is in such a pressure-packed situation. He said, “The only way to slow down your heart rate while feeling this much pressure is to control your breathing.” While he was saying these words, the television camera was focused on Mickelson’s face and you could literally see him taking in deep breaths and breathing out slowly as he was getting ready to stroke the final putt for the victory. After one more deep breath, he stepped up to a difficult 12-foot breaking putt and rolled it into the center of the hole.

When I first learned this practice of breathing deeply in the belly I was amazed at how it elevated my performance on the golf course. More importantly, I’ve noticed how this practice has helped me be more patient and positive in interactions with my family, has improved my focus and ability to think more clearly, and has positively impacted so many other areas of everyday life.

Consider the following benefits that stem from deep breathing:
- Better focus
- Sharpened mental clarity
- Lower anxiety and better health
- Clearer communication
- Healthier relationships
- Improved performance on the job and at home
- Better mood
- Higher energy
- Healthier digestion
- Weight loss
- Enhanced learning ability

A pretty compelling list wouldn’t you agree? If you find that you’re spending most of your life in “hurry up” mode, then you are probably in the habit of shallow breathing. Awareness is the first step toward improvement—check in from time to time by asking yourself, “How am I breathing right now? How much tension am I feeling in my body?” And next time you’re in a highly-charged situation, or preparing for a big event, or you feel your adrenaline kicking in due to fearful thoughts, pause for a moment, place your hand on your belly and consciously move toward abdominal deep breathing. As you do so your emotions, performance, and thinking ability will improve on the spot.

(excerpt from my book Thriving in Turbulent Times) 

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