Too Hot to Hustle?
Cool off, calm down, and get stuff done with these easy breath hacks.
Is it just me, or does summer feel like it’s actively trying to suck the life out of… well, pretty much everyone this year?
Don’t get me wrong. I love sunshine, pool days, and the general life-is-good vibe that comes with warm weather. But when it’s 95 degrees without the heat index and humid enough to make you debate the merits of shaving your head, just walking to the mailbox can feel like a full-on endurance sport.
And when it comes to work?
You’re trying to stay productive while your brain feels like it’s melting, your energy is tanking by 2 PM, and your home office has somehow morphed into a sauna the Finns would envy. (By the way, when I say “you”, I also mean “me”.)
Here’s what I’ve been reminding myself of lately: we spend so much time trying to cool down our environment (hello, spiking electric bill) that we forget we have a built-in cooling system that’s faster, cheaper, and thankfully way more portable than any AC unit.
Ready for it?
(Drumroll…)
It’s your breath! Yeah, you saw that one coming.
Seriously, though. Your respiratory system is like one of those little portable fans you can plug into your cellphone. And unlike your thermostat, it doesn’t cost extra to run it.
Wanna give it a shot? You know you do. So here are three summer breath hacks that will help you stay cool and energized when the heat’s got you wilting like an old bouquet.
The Classic Cool-Down
First up: Sitali breathing. This one’s a lifesaver when you feel like you’re about to melt into the sidewalk.
Here’s how: curl your tongue into a little tube (if you can’t, just purse your lips like you’re sipping through a straw). Inhale slowly through your curled tongue or pursed lips, then exhale through your nose. The incoming air gets cooled as it passes over your tongue, and boom—instant internal AC.
I discovered this technique during a particularly brutal heat wave last summer when my AC was just not cutting it. A few rounds of Sitali at a time helped take me from “please sign me up for the cryogenics experiment” to “okay, I can people again.”
Pro tip: it’s clutch before hopping on a client call so you sound calm and collected, instead of like you’re slowly dissolving into a puddle.
The Energy Rescue
Staying cool is an admirable goal, but what about when the heat makes you feel like you’re moving through molasses? That’s where breath holds for stamina come in.
Try this: take a full belly breath in, then hold your breath for 10–15 seconds at the top for a quick oxygen-and-energy boost.
This is a super simple way to reset your focus, enhance your alertness, and train your body to be more resilient. Think of it like hitting the refresh button on your browser… only it’s for your energy levels.
I like this one a lot after lunch to help avert the afternoon crash—you know, that moment when you’re staring at your computer wondering if the words on the screen are forming sentences or if your brain has officially peaced out for the day.
The Game-Changer: Cool Exhales
Ready for a surprise summer productivity tip? I have three words for you: extended cooling exhales.
Breathe in normally through your nose, then exhale very slowly through pursed lips (like you’re cooling down hot soup). Make your exhale twice as long as your inhale—so if you breathe in for a count of 4, exhale for 8.
This simple tweak does two things:
It cools your body temperature.
It activates your parasympathetic nervous system (aka your “rest and digest” state), so you feel clear and focused instead of like you’re about to spontaneously combust.
I’ll use this trick between calls, before sending emails… or when I’m standing in the kitchen debating whether to brave the heat for food or just eat leftovers again.
The Real Talk
Summer can be tough on everyone, but it’s extra challenging when you’re trying to run a business or juggle multiple responsibilities. You’re already balancing deadlines, client expectations, and the eternal quest to take time off without feeling guilty. And there’s the whole “kids are still home” part too…
Then add heat exhaustion and energy crashes to the mix? Hard pass.
The beautiful thing about breathing is that you can (and should) do it anywhere: your stuffy home office, your car before a meeting, even at your kid’s baseball game when you’re melting in the stands but still trying to be a supportive parent.
You don’t need special equipment, a perfect environment, or even a ton of time. Just a few minutes of intentional breathing can help you feel more like yourself and less like a heat-stroke victim.
So the next time summer is trying to slow you down, remember that you’ve got your own personal cooling system built right in. Use it to stay energized, focused, and—dare I say—to maybe even enjoy these longer days instead of just surviving them.
Your productivity (and your electric bill) will thank you.
Want more quick breath hacks?
If you liked these techniques, you’ll love my free 5 Breaths in 5 Minutes kit. It’s packed with simple, proven breathwork practices you can do anywhere, anytime to shift your energy fast.
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Last Gasp
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.”
— James Dent