Breathing
May 7, 2026
KC Kruchko
The Edge: Nasal Breathing
To be able to calm and lower your heart rate in high-pressure moments can mean the difference between winning and losing. But how do athletes do it?
McIlroy keeps his mouth shut before clutch moments.
“McIlroy has talked about walking on the course in between shots just reminding himself to close his mouth, to take calm nasal breaths to regulate the nervous system, because we get different signals to the brain when we’re breathing through the mouth compared to through the nose,” says David Jackson, a breath work expert, coach and author.
Whether on the course, at work or at home – being able to regulate your stress is a game changer.
