Physiological sigh

A physiological sigh is a double inhale through the nose followed by a long exhale, used to bring down stress quickly. 1

1. How to do it: Take a deep inhale through your nose, sneak in a second nasal inhale to fully inflate your lungs, then exhale slowly through your mouth until your lungs are empty. 2

2. Quick stress relief: One sigh can help bring on calm in real time; repeat it once or twice if needed. 3

3. Natural sighs and the lungs: Physiological sighs also occur spontaneously, including during sleep, and the second inhale helps reinflate collapsed air sacs in the lungs. 4 5

4. Running side stitches: For a right-side stitch during exercise, two or three physiological sighs may ease the pain; Huberman links this effect to changes in phrenic-nerve sensory feedback. 6