The Power of Breath
'Cyclic sighing' can help breathe away anxiety. Stanford Medicine researchers showed that five minutes a day of breathing exercises can reduce overall anxiety and improve mood. But, according to a new study from Stanford Medicine, here's an easy, at-home way to help lower your stress level: It's called cyclic sighing, a controlled breathing exercise that emphasizes long exhalations. What's more, it can take as little as five minutes to experience less anxiety, a better mood and even decreased rates of breathing at rest, a sign of overall body calmness.