Sighing: meaning, definitions and examples

Psychology

• Sighing can be a way for our body to release tension and stress, helping us calm down.
• People often sigh when they feel overwhelmed or are thinking deeply about something.
• Research shows that sighing can help reset our breathing pattern, making us feel more relaxed.

Literature

• Sighing is often used in poetry and prose to express deep emotions, like longing or sadness.
• In classic literature, characters often sigh at moments of love or loss, making the emotion more vivid.
• It is a powerful literary device to convey unspoken feelings and can symbolize a character's internal struggles.

Cultural Perspectives

• Different cultures interpret sighs differently; in some places, it shows sadness, whereas in others, it can indicate relaxation.
• In Western movies, a sigh often signals dramatic moments, enhancing storytelling by highlighting character emotions.
• Some cultures view sighing as a sign of impatience or annoyance, showing that the communicator may be frustrated.

Health

• Studies suggest that sighing can help improve lung function by inflating parts of the lungs that may not fill with normal breathing.
• Excessive sighing can sometimes indicate anxiety or stress, and being aware of it can aid in managing those feelings.
• Mindfulness practices often incorporate sighing exercises to promote relaxation and emotional awareness.

Expressive Arts

• In music, sighing can be mimicked through instrumental notes or vocal techniques to convey emotion.
• Actors use sighing in performance to convey character emotions, making their expressions more relatable.
• Visual artists sometimes depict sighing through imagery of landscapes or characters in moments of contemplation.

With rank #17,170, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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• 17167 intrude
• 17168 silhouette
• 17169 steed
• 17170 sighing
• 17171 sobriety
• 17172 skipper
• 17173 pervaded
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