Breathe-well grounded theory: Self-discovery and personal growth in knowledge workers through well-being practices

Knowledge workers often face high stress due to deadlines and overcommitment, which negatively impacts their well-being. They have specific characteristics and challenges, such as a tendency to work in isolation or in intense team environments, sleep deprivation, and making decisions under pressure. OBJECTIVE: To support preventive measures, this study provides a comprehensive, systematic understanding of the factors contributing to the well-being of knowledge workers in light of a specific intervention. METHOD: We designed, implemented and evaluated a programme using breathwork to reduce stress, improve well-being and foster resilience. We conducted 43 semi-structured interviews and analysed them via Constructive Grounded Theory. RESULTS: We propose the Breathe-well Grounded Theory with key concepts, principles, elements, dimensions, and interconnections that shape the lives and work experiences of knowledge workers, particularly in light of the applied breathwork intervention. CONCLUSION: We discuss our results in relation to well-known general theories on well-being. We conclude that breathwork interventions have a positive impact on the well-being of knowledge workers. We offer theoretical, research and practical implications that help knowledge workers improve their general well-being.