Could just five minutes of breathing practice each day help us manage stress?
In this episode, Sarah Gerhardt describes how she incorporated cyclic sighing into everyday situations, from stressful travel experiences to medical appointments.
Dr. David Spiegel discusses research comparing different breathing techniques with meditation, highlighting how brief, regular practice can improve mood and reduce breathing rate.
Key takeaways:
- Try cyclic sighing: Discover a breathing technique that combines two inhales with a long, slow exhale.
- Calm the body’s stress response: Dr. Spiegel explains why the way we exhale may be especially important for relaxation.
- Bring calm into everyday moments: Gerhardt shares how she uses the technique to navigate anxiety, distractions, and stressful situations.
- Make it a daily habit: Research discussed in the episode suggests that just five minutes of regular practice can make a difference.
The Science of Happiness explores research-tested strategies that you can put into practice today to live a happier life. It is a bi-weekly podcast that is co-produced by PRX and UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.
