The positive effects of combined breathing techniques and cold exposure on perceived stress: a randomised trial
Current Psychology October 7, 2022 Cristopher Siegfried Kopplin, Louisa Rosenthal 16 citations
A pranayama-inspired breathing technique, cold exposure, and their combination were tested for reducing perceived stress in adults. Eighty-six participants were assigned to a breathing-only group, a cold-exposure-only group, a combined group, or a control group. Perceived stress was measured with the PSS-10 and PSQ, which correlated strongly. The combined group showed a medium to large positive effect on perceived stress compared to the control group, while breathing or cold exposure alone did not yield substantial effects, suggesting synergies between the two exercises. Combinations of these techniques may help lower perceived stress.