Feeling stressed? Telling yourself to calm down rarely works, as your nervous system is already highly aroused and it is hard for the brain to quickly switch from a high arousal state to a low arousal state of calm. By using a simple ‘sighing’ breathing practice known as physiological sighs, you can directly affect your nervous system in times of stress, and help return to a state of calmness quickly. Try it right now!
Take a deep inhale through your nose.
Top that inhale with a little more air by taking another shorter inhale through your nose.
Then have a complete extended long exhale out your mouth
Repeat three times. Pause and notice how you feel.
Practice doing the psychological sighs occasionally throughout your day to provide calmness over time. Set a cue such as before every meal for the month, even doing one sigh is helpful!