Cyclic Sighing
Breathe In
In Breath Tempo
This is the actual timer setup used by the app. Change the preset if you want a softer or longer version before starting.
- Selected preset
- Gentle · 15 cycles
- Rhythm
- Breathe In 2 sec · Top-up breathe in 1 sec · Long breathe out 5 sec
- Breath holds
- No holds in this preset
- Safety level
- Gentle
This practice can start directly from the timer, but comfort still matters more than finishing.
Related goals
Use this rhythm inside a broader path for sleep, focus, stress, or a first gentle session.
How to practice
Cyclic sighing — sometimes called the physiological sigh — is a short pattern of two inhales followed by one long, slow exhale. Breathe in gently through the nose, add a small second sip of air at the top to fill the lungs a little more, then let the breath out slowly through the mouth, like a quiet sigh. Let the exhale be the longest part, unhurried and complete, and follow the timer so the double inhale stays easy.
This is a quick, soothing reset you can use almost anywhere you have a minute to breathe. Researchers at Stanford have studied cyclic sighing as a brief daily practice that may help some people feel calmer, though everyone responds differently. Keep both inhales relaxed rather than gulped, and pause if you feel light-headed. Even a short stretch of slow sighing can take the edge off a tense moment.
- 1Breathe In· 2s
- 2Top-up breathe in· 1s
- 3Long breathe out· 5s
Articles about this exercise
A little background reading, before or after your session.