Navigation Carl Yastrzemski, Stress, and the Physiological Sigh
As we approach the 44th anniversary of baseball great Carl Yastzremski’s record breaking 3,000 hits, we can learn something about a much-touted and recently researched relaxation technique. The Physiological Sigh, as it is known, is presently making the rounds on health focused podcasts and blog posts. What’s the connection here? In Yastzremski’s words, “When I saw the hit going through, I had a sigh of relief more than anything.”
You probably can relate to Yastrzemski’s experiencing of a sigh of relief after a period of heightened stress. When breathing becomes shallow and irregular, carbon dioxide (CO2) can build up, leaving us feeling starved for oxygen and even panicky. At such times we likely to have more than enough oxygen in our blood, but the rise in CO2 triggers a feeling to the contrary. Sighing recalibrates the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream.
Many popular relaxation techniques involve slowing the breath and extending the outbreath. A subset involve holding the breath so as to become more tolerant of the accumulation of CO2. If you are interested in learning more about such practices you can read books like “The Oxygen Advantage: The Simple Scientifically Proven Breathing Techniques for a Healthier, Slimmer, Faster, and Fitter You,” by Patrick McKeon, “The Wim Hof Method: Activate Your Full Human Potential,” by Wim Hof, and “The Healing Power of the Breath,” by Richard Brown and Patricia Garberg, and previous Florida Bar News’ columns that addressed the topic.
