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.