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The physiological sigh to reduce stress

The physiological sigh to reduce stress-and anxiety

A 10-second breathing technique to inner calm

Palms sweating, heart pounding, thoughts racing – stress ambushes you without warning. In those overwhelming moments, every passing second feels like an eternity of anguish. But what if you could escape this mental chaos in the time it takes to tie your shoelaces?

A well-guarded secret lies in an unassuming breathing pattern called the physiological sigh. Don’t let its simplicity deceive you – this subtle shift in your breath holds the key to unlocking calm amidst the chaos.

Inhale. Pause. Sip in a little more air. Then exhale slowly, completely. That’s it. That’s the ticket to your inner zen garden, hiding in plain sight all along.

How to do the physiological sigh

  1. Inhale fully through your nose.
  2. Take one more small sip of air in.
  3. Exhale slowly through your mouth until your lungs feel empty.

That’s it. Repeat the pattern 1-2 times and feel the calm wash over you.

The science behind the sigh

So why does this combo work like magic? Two key reasons:

  1. The double inhale completely fills your lungs with oxygen.
  2. The long exhale expels a large volume of carbon dioxide, which is responsible for the stress response.
  3. Longer exhales slow your heart rate and activate neural pathways that promote relaxation.

Essentially, this breathing pattern acts as a built-in tranquillizer, short-circuiting the stress feedback loop.

När du ska använda den

The beauty of the physiological sigh is you can do it anytime, anywhere. Try it when you’re:

  • Stuck in traffic and late for a meeting
  • About to have a difficult conversation
  • Feeling pressure to perform under a tight deadline
  • Receiving stressful news
  • Simply feeling frazzled and on edge

In moments of acute stress, this technique offers a lifeline back to calm. And the more you practice, the more automatic it becomes.

So next time stress strikes, remember: Two short inhales. One long exhale. Ten seconds to inner peace.

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