Happy Monday, boo! 

 

Today, I want to share a game-changing breathing technique that'll help you reduce stress and anxiety in real-time. 

 

You know, those moments when:

 

…your heart is pounding before a big presentation or pitch

…you're feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate

…you just wrapped up a stressful meeting or conversation

 

It's called The Physiological Sigh (it was first discovered in the 1930s!).

 

It only takes 10 seconds.

 

And fun fact: dogs do this naturally when they’re falling asleep.

 

Step 1: Inhale fully through your nose.

 

Step 2: Pause. Inhale *one more sip* of air.

 

Step 3: Exhale slowly through the mouth until your lungs feel empty.

 

Step 4: Repeat 1-2 times.

 

TIP: Inhale through the nose, even if you feel slightly congested. If your nose is totally blocked, breathe in through your mouth with pursed lips.

This simple act of exhaling deeply can have a huge impact on your mental and physical well-being. 

 

 

Stress Relief: It helps release built-up tension and reduces your heart rate (which is likely going 100 mph from stress). Think of it as a mini-vacation for your nervous system.

 

Improved Focus: You often experience increased mental clarity and focus after a sigh. It's as if your brain has been cleared of mental fog, allowing you to think more clearly.

 

Emotional Regulation: Sighing is a great way to process and release negative emotions. Think of your body as a pressure cooker, and stress keeps cranking up the heat. When the stress gets a bit too much, you do a deep sigh. You're literally letting out the stress, frustration, sadness, or anxiety - kind of like a steam valve releasing pressure in the cooker.

 

So next time your heart is pounding before a big presentation, an important pitch, or you're just super stressed, remember the psychological sigh. Take back control of your stress response and breathing!

 

Have a great week!