This Common "Calming" Technique Could Actually Be Stressing You Out More

Try as we might, sometimes there's just no avoiding stress. The good news is, there are plenty of calming techniques you can do when nerves strike, including simply working with your breath. But according to neuroscientist and Stanford professor Andrew Huberman, Ph.D., there's a common misconception about breathing to reduce stress, which he explained on a recent episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown podcast.

Huberman explains that when you do this technique (which he calls a "physiological sigh"), you naturally activate the neural circuits in the brain and body that shift from sympathetic tone—alertness and stress—to parasympathetic. "And for most people," he adds, "it takes only one so-called physiological sigh [to] completely return to a calm state, and this is, as far as I know, the fastest way to shift yourself from stressed to calm."

And if you still need a hand in achieving a sense of calm, you might want to reach for a stress-reducing supplement, such as mindbodygreen's calm+.* The botanical formula includes full-spectrum USDA- and EU-certified organic European hemp oil, lavender oil, and ashwagandha root and leaf extract to support a brighter mood and up your stress resilience.*

If you've been taking a deep breath whenever you're stressed to no avail, you might want to try this neuroscientist-approved method instead. Pair it with your other favorite stress-busting techniques for an instant wave of calm.