Go ahead and sigh — it can actually save your life
The next time someone accuses you of being rude for letting out an audible sigh when you’re too bored for words, let them know that it’s not rude; sighing is just good for your health.
The scientific journal Nature recently published a study that showed researchers have discovered the brain circuit that controls sighing in mice, and that the circuit likely serves a life-saving purpose. Which means sighing is more that just an emotional response to a situation. It’s actually a valuable to our survival.
Isn’t scientific knowledge dreamy?
It turns out sighing — which is that extra inhalation you take to make your breath even deeper — may help keep our alveoli (ballon-like structures that help us breathe easier) inflated and in tact.
Which basically means, every time you sigh, you’re making it easier to breathe.
According to the research, the brain naturally regulates your sighing, so there’s no need to feel like you should force yourself to constantly take more deep breaths. In fact, doing so could cause you unnecessary stress.
So the next time you feel like you might want to take that deep sigh, go ahead and do it. It’ll be good for you both emotionally and physically.
Isn’t that just wonderful?
