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The Observatory
Exercise7 minEmotionalRationality

The physiological sigh

A quick tool for stress: two inhales and a long exhale that settles the body within a minute.

The path

How it works

  1. Note where you areChoose
  2. The sighBreathe
  3. Check in againChooseWrite
  4. Why this oneWrite
Before you do anything, check in with yourself. This is an acute tool, meant to be used exactly when things feel tight. Put a number on where you are now, so you have something to compare with in a moment.

Exercise in 4 steps, about 7 minutes. Doing it is part of Premium, which you try free for 7 days with no card. With Premium your answers are saved so you can pick up where you left off and look back at what you wrote.

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The evidence

Why does it work?

In a Stanford RCT, cyclic sighing (two inhales plus an extended exhale) gave the largest daily mood boost and lowered breathing rate, more than mindfulness. Balban et al., Cell Reports Medicine (2023).

Account, your first assessment with the hexagon and one new measurement every quarter are free. The rest is part of Premium: SEK 99 a month or SEK 699 a year, VAT included.

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