Ever let out a big sigh and feel instantly lighter, even if nothing around you has changed? Turns out, that wasn’t just you being dramatic, your body was doing something useful. A new study published in “Science Advances” suggests that sighing has real physical benefits for both your stress levels and your lungs.
Here’s what researchers found:
- Sighing helps expand and “reset” the tiny air sacs in your lungs, called alveoli [[al-VEE-oh-lie]].
- This keeps lung tissue elastic and prevents breathing from becoming harder over time — which can happen if you mostly breathe in short, shallow bursts.
- A breathing method called “cyclic sighing” (slow, deep breaths with long exhales) done for just five minutes a day was shown to improve mood and lower your breathing rate.
Even though we usually associate sighing with being annoyed, overwhelmed, or sad, it actually acts as a quick pressure-release valve for your body. It can offer an immediate sense of relief and give your system a moment to reset. That said, if you notice yourself sighing constantly, it could be a sign of ongoing stress or anxiety. But in general, taking a slow, deep breath and letting it out with a sigh is a simple, healthy way to help your body and your mind relax.
Source: NY Post
Scott's Thoughts:
- I sigh a time or two a day, but not really intentional. More like an involuntary release of tension.
- I like Frank Costanza's relaxation technique of yelling out "SERENITY NOW!"
- Sighing all the time kind of feels like whining to me.