Whiskey, Coffee or Water?

When most people think about managing their mood or boosting their energy, they think about food, exercise, or maybe even supplements. But what if one of the simplest, most powerful tools was already built into your body?

Enter: Breathwork. The way you breathe sends direct messages to your nervous system, signaling whether it’s time to ramp up, chill out, or stay steady. Today, I want to teach you an easy way to tap into the power of your breath—using a simple metaphor: Whiskey, Coffee, or Water.

Whiskey Breathing (Relax & Unwind)

Think of the feeling you get from a smooth sip of whiskey: everything slows down, your body relaxes, and the world softens around the edges.Whiskey breathing is your tool for activating your parasympathetic nervous system—your "rest and digest" mode.

Use it when:

• You’re anxious, overwhelmed, or overstimulated

• You’re winding down before bed

• You’re preparing for meditation, recovery, or deep relaxation

How to do it:

• Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of 4-6

• Exhale even slower through your mouth for a count of 6-8 (think: slow sigh)

• Repeat for 2-5 minutes

Make the exhale longer than the inhale. The longer exhale sends a clear signal to your body: "We are safe. It's okay to relax."

Coffee Breathing (Energize & Activate)

Imagine that first bold sip of coffee: it lights you up, gets your blood moving, and kicks your brain into gear.Coffee breathing is about activating your sympathetic nervous system—your "get up and go" mode.

Use it when:

• You need a quick boost of energy or focus

• You’re preparing for a workout

• You’re shaking off morning grogginess

Important Note:If you’re prone to anxiety, panic attacks, or heart palpitations, skip this one.

How to do it:

• Take quick, sharp inhales through your nose

• Passive, natural exhales (don’t force them)

• Aim for 20-30 breaths, then return to normal breathing

• It should feel buzzy and alert—but not panicky

Think of it like "sniff, sniff, sniff" (quick inhales), then just let the air fall out naturally.

Water Breathing (Steady & Centered)

Now imagine a glass of cool, clean water. It doesn't spike you up or slow you down—it balances you.Water breathing keeps you steady: alert, observant, but calm. Perfect for staying emotionally regulated and non-reactive.

Use it when:

• You want to feel focused without overstimulation

• You’re moving through stressful environments

• You’re in conversation, meetings, or complex tasks

How to do it:

• Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4

• Breathe out through your nose for a count of 4

• Keep it smooth, rhythmic, and relaxed

• Continue for 2-5 minutes

Imagine you're lightly rowing a boat across a calm lake—effortless, steady, and flowing.

How to Choose:

Ask yourself:

• Do I need to slow down? → Whiskey

• Do I need to speed up? → Coffee

• Do I need to stay steady? → Water

Once you know what you need, you can pick the right "drink"—no barista (or bartender) required.

Breathwork isn’t just for yogis or elite athletes. It’s for everyone with a nervous system—which means it’s for you.Whether you’re gearing up, calming down, or staying even-keeled, you have the tools. They're literally under your nose.

Whiskey, Coffee, or Water? You get to choose—one conscious breath at a time. Message me if you want a PDF of my Breathwork Cheat Sheet. :)