<p>I guess that what I do is technically termed a “sigh,” but we usually attach to sighing some sense of forlorn emotion, and that’s not applicable here. I have the feeling that the upper ends of my lungs sort of deflate and need a deep, extended breath every minute or two to be completely expanded once again. My 14-year-old son does it too. There are no negative consequences - it actually feels pretty good - but I’ve googled and spoken to doctors, and I’ve never found any reference to it or anyone who knows what my son and I are referring to. Do any of you do this or know someone who does?</p>
<p>I did that in the last month or so of my pregnancies. To the point where some people said it was annoying. I had very large babies, and there just wasn’t room enough in my torso for them and two completely expanded lungs. </p>
<p>It’s interesting to note what kinds of things irritate people.</p>
<p>I sometimes do this also tend to yawn a lot if I am just sitting; my husband pointed it out on long drive trips, when you are just sitting there doing nothing. I have a low pulse and low BP and associated it with my body bringing in some extra oxygen since I am not doing it on my own ;)</p>
<p>I do this, particularly if I’m sitting at my desk all hunched over working on something for an extended period of time. I subconsciously realize that I haven’t really taken anything other than a shallow breath in a while, and that my chest and back muscles are all tensed, so I let out a big “whoosh” of a breath. Feels great. Muscles untense a little, my vision clears somewhat, and my brain quits getting deprived of oxygen.</p>
<p>I’m assigned to some fairly complicated and obnoxious projects at work right now, so my coworkers probably think I’m just aggravated and blowing off a little steam so I don’t… well… knock their heads together like coconuts or something. ;)</p>
<p>when i read the title, i assumed it was related to college application stress. I think we all need to take a deep breath more often.
But for your particular question, I think it might be interesting to talk to an experienced yoga practitioner, and see what he or she has to say.</p>
<p>we don’t breathe deeply enough- instead of taking deep breaths- concentrate on letting * all* your air out.
I agree with taking yoga- it will help.</p>
<p>I also thought yoga as soon as I read your post, particularly poses to open your chest.</p>
<p>I do that sometimes, not as regularly as you though. It feels like I have forgtten to breathe, although obviously I have not. I think I do it more often when I am stressed, studying, or otherwise focused on something. Like another poster, I also tend to do it more when I am hunched over my desk.</p>
<p>Physician here. Everyone takes a deep “sigh” breath every so often to fully expand the lungs. Even animals do this. You are probably just more aware of it than most. Completely normal. Hospital patients are given this larger sigh breath when on mechanical ventilation.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>How about that, Somemom . . . that’s me too! I’m the only person I know whose doctor suggested that they eat more salt to raise their blood pressure. Now that you’ve said this, I’ll bet my son has abnormally low BP too. I know my father had the low BP, but I never noticed if he sighed a lot.</p>
<p>Now that others mention it, I do think that I do it at more frequent intervals when seated. Yoga sounds like a good suggestion.</p>