sighs

A sigh is a long, audible exhalation that interrupts ongoing breathing, or a deep, deliberate inhalation followed by a longer exhale. It is a normal component of breathing in many people and may occur spontaneously or in response to emotion.

Physiologically, a sigh typically consists of a deeper-than-normal inhalation followed by a slower or longer exhalation, often followed by a normal breath. It helps re-expand atelectatic areas of the lungs and may help regulate breathing, though its precise function in everyday breathing is not fully understood.

Emotional and social aspects: Sighs can signal emotional states such as fatigue, frustration, disappointment, relief, or sorrow. In everyday speech, a sigh is a verbal cue and a nonverbal gesture that can communicate feelings without words. Sighing is cross-cultural and often reflected in literature, film, and music as an emblem of resignation or longing.

In health contexts, sighing is common in healthy individuals; it may be more frequent during stress or fatigue. Persistent or excessive sighing can be associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, or respiratory conditions, and may warrant medical evaluation if accompanied by other symptoms or impairment.