Cyclic sighing has been given a lot of attention since the paper by Balban et al was published in 2023.  Some third parties have claimed it to be the breathing technique that could transform your life.

Like with any new technique, there is generally not one thing that can transform things so radically. It’s all about making lifestyle choices and implementing small or large changes on a regular basis.

Breathwork and breathing techniques have been shown to improve well-being, promote relaxation, reduced feeling of stress & anxiety and doing any form of breathing practice or meditation regularly is likely to improve your quality of life and health.

What hasn’t been established yet is which of the many breathing practices is the most beneficial...

What is interesting about this technique and study is the direct comparison between two other breathwork practices and a mindfulness meditation. Each were practiced for 5 minutes daily over a period of month. All practices were found to improve mood and anxiety as well as reducing physiological arousal; meaning that heart rate, breathing rate were reduced and heart rate variability increased  - which is a good sign!

Of all these techniques the cyclic sighing (aka physiological sighing) produced the greatest improvement in mood and the greatest reduction in breathing rate when compared to the others.

The conclusion being that this technique ‘has promise as an effective stress management’.

So, if you want to introduce breathwork regularly to your life, 5 mins a day of this is likely to give you a greater benefit than other techniques.

Whilst research and science can give us a start or reference point, each of us is individual. Trust in your own experience and feelings are an important and empowering aspect to optimal health, well-being and healing.

Take care,

Kerry x