How do we manage automatic functions such as breathing?

Breathing management primarily occurs subconsciously, facilitated by the body's autonomic nervous system. This allows us to breathe without having to consciously think about each breath, ensuring that the body automatically regulates this essential function even while we are engaged in other activities.

Although it is possible to consciously control breathing, such as when we intentionally take deep breaths or hold our breath, these actions are not the primary way in which breathing is managed as our body automatically takes care of it under normal circumstances.

The concept of unconscious processing aligns closely with our inherent ability to perform the act of breathing without ongoing awareness or control. While intuitive processes can affect our breathing during moments of stress or exercise, the baseline function of breathing remains an automatic, subconscious task regulated by the brainstem and the respiratory center. Therefore, the most accurate characterization of how we manage automatic functions like breathing would be through the subconscious processes of the autonomic nervous system.