Cyclic sighing is a breathing pattern built around the physiological sigh — a full inhale through the nose, immediately followed by a second, shorter "top-off" inhale through the nose, then one long, slow exhale through the mouth. Repeating that sequence for a few minutes is what people mean when they say "cyclic sighing."
The name describes the shape of the practice: a repeated cycle of the naturally occurring sigh reflex, done on purpose and at a deliberate pace.
A deep, full breath in through the nose, at a comfortable pace.
A short, sharp top-off inhale right at the top of the first breath.
A long, slow release through the mouth — about twice the length of both inhales combined.
Researchers have studied brief structured breathing practices, including cyclic sighing, in relation to self-reported mood and physiological arousal. Findings are promising in places, but the evidence base is still relatively new, and individual responses vary.
Most people begin with a short session — a few dozen cycles over roughly five minutes — and adjust the pace from there. The Cyclic Sighing app guides each phase with animation and an on-screen counter, so you don't need to count manually.
Practice cyclic sighing with guided sessions, mood tracking, and smart reminders.
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