The Sighing Technique
We naturally sigh when something is over. In effect, sighing acts as a psychological re-setter for our brain – we trick our brain into thinking that it’s over before it even starts, which gives you a psychological advantage. Just think about the problem or task that you’re dreading or making you feel uneasy and whilst sighing, you’re telling your brain that you’re okay with it. Ultimately it will make you feel calmer. Despite the noticeable feeling from this technique, scientific studies have shown that there is a clear connection between sighing and total relief. Self-reported relief following an instructed deep breath was higher than before, with physiological tension becoming greatly reduced following a spontaneous sigh.
- Put your hands together into a “praying” position. Notice that the way you put your hands together here is how you would always do it if anyone ever asked you – as this is your comfort zone. However, the purpose of this technique and tip is to transform the “uncomfortable” into something that feels ok. So…
- Move your fingers one space forward. In order to make this happen, we need you to do something uncomfortable. Open your hands, break your fingers apart and then proceed to move your fingers all one position forward, to then clasp them back together. It most likely feels like you have gained an extra finger! It feels odd, it feels weird – it feels really uncomfortable.
- Go back to your original position. In order to check how much better the original position felt, put your hands back into that initial “comfort zone” arrangement. However, we want you to step outside of your comfort zone and bolster that confidence – we want you to do things that you didn’t think were possible – we want you to stop feeling anxious!
- Go back to the uncomfortable position. Unfortunately once again, move your fingers all one space forward. Retain that thought or whatever it is holding you back in your head. Now, this is where the magic begins!
- SIGH. Keeping your hands in the uncomfortable hand position the entire time, please count to three, and give a great, big sigh. One… Two… Three! Now, we would like you to sigh again, but this time, allow your shoulders to fully drop. One… Two… Three!
- Okay, let’s sigh again – on this occasion, let your shoulders drop once more and additionally let your bottom sink into whatever chair you’re currently sitting in. One… Two… Three! One last time, just for the hell of it. Let everything drop, sink into that chair, let your arms relax down into your lap. One… Two… Three!
- Now, here is the most amazing thing. Go back to your comfort zone arrangement, then revert back to the uncomfortable position, with your fingers one step forward. You may find that you notice… It feels exactly the same!
Recovery Programme
Even if you have lived with them for many, many years, we can provide the tools and techniques needed to break anxiety-inducing habits and create new ways of thinking.
This programme has been designed to be simple, effective and most importantly life-changing.
