Evaluating Breathwork for NHS Staff Wellbeing, Stress Management, and Sleep Improvement

The NHS employs over 1.5 million staff, with mental health issues such as stress accounting for around 25–27% of sickness absences. Work-related stress is also a major contributor to long-term absence, underlining the importance of investing in staff wellbeing.

At Small Shifts, we take a practical approach that fits into everyday work life, helping teams manage stress, improve focus, and sleep better.

We recently evaluated our breathwork sessions with Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as part of a study on staff wellbeing. Here’s what we found:
 

• Weekly 30-minute live breathwork sessions delivered immediate stress relief. 
  
• A 4-week online breathwork series significantly reduced stress and improved sleep quality.
   

Both approaches were effective: live sessions for quick relief, online programmes for longer-lasting benefits. 
These results show that breathwork is a flexible, accessible tool that can be tailored to different teams and workplaces. It’s a practical, science-backed way to reduce stress, improve sleep, and help staff feel more in control of their wellbeing.