Happiness Break: A Breathing Technique To Help You Relax, with Dr. David Spiegel (Cyclic Sighing)

Happiness Break: A Breathing Technique To Help You Relax, with Dr. David Spiegel (Cyclic Sighing)

Author: PRX and Greater Good Science Center October 3, 2024 Duration: 8:38
Dr. David Spiegel guides you through cyclic sighing, a breathwork practice that helps reduce stress and anxiety.  Summary: Dr. David Spiegel guides you through a simple yet powerful breathwork practice that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and boost overall well-being. Backed by Stanford research, this simple technique uses slow, controlled exhales to calm the nervous system and improve overall well-being. Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/3dtwyk44 Time: 5 minutes Prepare: Find a comfortable seated or standing position in a quiet environment. Relax your shoulders and jaw.  First Inhale: Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose. Start with your abdomen, allowing it to expand (diaphragmatic breathing) as you fill your lungs about halfway. Hold this breath briefly.  Second Inhale: Continue inhaling through your nose, now expanding your chest to completely fill your lungs. Hold this combined breath (abdomen and chest filled) for a moment.  Exhale: Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth. Make sure the exhale is gentle and lasts about twice as long as the combined inhales.  Repeat the Cycle: Repeat the inhale sequence for a total of 3 cycles (or as desired): Start with a diaphragmatic inhale through your nose, expanding your abdomen. Follow with a chest expansion inhale through your nose to fill your lungs completely. Hold briefly after each combined inhale. Exhale slowly and completely through your mouth, ensuring it's twice as long as the inhales.  Reflect and Relax: After completing the cycles, take a moment to observe how your body feels. Notice any sensations of relaxation, reduced tension, or a calmer state of mind. Guest: Dr. David Spiegel is Willson Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine. He is also the co-founder of the clinically backed self-hypnosis app Reveri.   Read Dr. Spiegel’s cyclic sighing study here: https://tinyurl.com/mrxbkyr2 Related Science of Happiness episodes: Breathe Away Anxiety (Cyclic Sighing): https://tinyurl.com/3u7vsrr5 How To Tune Out The Noise: https://tinyurl.com/4hhekjuh  Related Happiness Break episodes: A Mindful Breath Meditation, With Dacher Keltner: https://tinyurl.com/mr9d22kr Follow us on Instagram: @scienceofhappinesspod

What if the things that make life feel worthwhile aren't just abstract ideas, but observable, measurable phenomena? That's the territory explored in The Science of Happiness. Each episode moves beyond simple self-help platitudes, grounding itself in the concrete research from psychology and neuroscience. Hosted by the insightful Dacher Keltner, a psychologist whose work often centers on these very emotions, the conversations feel both authoritative and deeply human. You'll hear from people who are actively testing out specific, research-backed practices-from cultivating compassion to finding moments of genuine awe-and then discussing the real, sometimes messy results. This isn't about a constant state of cheer; it's about understanding the building blocks of a resilient and meaningful existence. The podcast, a co-production of PRX and the Greater Good Science Center, translates academic findings into accessible stories and actionable insights. Tuning in feels less like receiving a lecture and more like sitting in on a fascinating experiment about our shared human condition, one where the data points are moments of connection, gratitude, and personal discovery.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Science of Happiness
Podcast Episodes
Happiness Break: The Unexpected Joy of Slow Looking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:37
What happens when you linger and look closely at a piece of art? Nathalie Ryan, an educator from the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., guides us through a slow looking practice shown to help deepen your sense o…
Love Throughout Your Life: Stories from a Stranger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:40
Description: Sharing a new podcast called Stories from a Stranger, which features portraits of strangers connected by themes of love, loss, regret, inspiration, illness, family connections, and more. In each episode of S…
The Art of Slowing Down [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:42
What happens when we slow down enough to really experience art? We visit a museum to discover how slow looking at art can cultivate awe, empathy, and a greater sense of connection in a distracted world. Summary: Art has…
Happiness Break: A Meditation to Inspire a Sense of Purpose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:40
Take a few minutes to reflect on someone who inspires you, and how you can embody the values you admire in them. How To Do This Practice: Arrive and Settle: Find a quiet place to sit or stand. Gently close your eyes or s…
An Awe Walk Through History and Possibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:59
Noticing the history and beauty around us can shift how we see ourselves—and our communities. An awe walk through Harlem reveals how the stories embedded in public spaces can spark connection, perspective, and a sense of…
Happiness Break: A Loving-Kindness Practice for Yourself [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:09
In this gentle practice, psychologist Kristin Neff helps us extend loving kindness inward, offering ourselves the same care and goodwill we naturally give to others. How To Do This Practice: Settle into your body: Sit co…
How Cities Can Make Space for Awe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:22
A simple experiment turning a parking space into a parklet reveals how small changes to public spaces can spark connection, belonging, and awe. Summary: What if even the smallest changes to our cities could transform how…
Happiness Break: Make Uncertainty Part of the Process [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:57
Through poetic reflection, Yrsa Daley-Ward helps us embrace the in-between moments, reminding us that the unknown can be the very terrain where real change begins. Settle into Stillness: Find a quiet space, get comfortab…
Happiness Break: How Poetry Helps Us Feel and Heal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:15
What happens in your brain when you read or write a poem? We listen to powerful poetry from you, our listeners, and uncover the neuroscience of why it helps us feel, process, and recover. Scroll down for a transcription…
Why Work Feels Better Together [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:48
From a worker-owned restaurant in Oakland to a nonprofit built on shared leadership, we explore how collective work models can help people feel heard, valued, and more invested in their work. Summary: In this episode of…