Using the Physiological Sigh to Manage Anxiety
Like most people, when I'm having a hard cry—which can be very emotional, sometimes overwhelming—I do a double intake of breath. It's like a hiccup, but not. My therapist told me that this is called the physiological sigh and that it helps reduce stress by balancing oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in our bodies.
Why I Practice the Physiological Sigh
An essential tool to help manage anxiety is regulated breathing which can be hard to do when I'm in a state of heightened anxiety or even panic. I used to use the box-breathing method; inhale for seven seconds, hold, exhale for seven seconds, hold, repeat. This did very little to help my anxiety. Then my therapist introduced me to the physiological sigh, which I now practice proactively during yoga and meditation, and when I feel my anxiety rising.
APA Reference
Scott, L.
(2022, July 25). Using the Physiological Sigh to Manage Anxiety, HealthyPlace. Retrieved
on 2024, November 13 from https://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/anxiety-schmanxiety/2022/7/using-the-physiological-sigh-to-manage-anxiety