How Synchronized Breathing Connects Us

Humans are inherently social creatures, and our interactions are often marked by subtle, often unconscious, coordination. This phenomenon, known as behavioral synchrony, involves the temporal alignment of behaviors between individuals. [1] From the spontaneous synchronization of footsteps while walking side-by-side to the mirroring of postures during conversation, we are constantly engaging in these rhythmic dances. [2] Emerging research is highlighting the profound influence of this synchrony on our feelings of connectedness and intimacy. [1] 

Synchronization: More Than Just Mimicry

While behavioral mimicry, the production of matching actions, plays a role in social interaction, [3]  the concept of interpersonal motor synchrony extends this idea by focusing on the temporal alignment of periodic motor behaviors. Studies have shown that even simple synchronized movements, like tapping in sync, can lead to an elevated sense of joint identity and liking between strangers. [4] This suggests a fundamental social function of synchrony in binding individuals together.

The Breath of Connection

Among the various forms of behavioral synchrony, breathing synchronization stands out as a powerful mechanism for fostering interpersonal connection. Research indicates that when individuals synchronize their breathing, a psycho-physiological synchronization occurs, leading to similar affective states and a feeling of connection.[5] This isn't just anecdotal; studies have experimentally investigated the impact of synchronized breathing on intimacy and desire. For instance, one study assigned romantic partners to breathe either in-sync with each other, out-of-sync with each other, or in-sync with a koala. [1] The results showed that participants experienced higher levels of rapport and intimacy with their partner in the in-sync condition compared to the other conditions. Furthermore, the perception of breathing in sync with one's partner was associated with feelings of closeness, which, in turn, predicted heightened sexual desire. This highlights the potential of synchronized breathing as a nonverbal mechanism that promotes closeness in intimate situations.

Another study with same-sex strangers found that even when pedaling bicycles synchronously versus asynchronously while discussing personal events, those in the synchronous condition reported feeling more intimate. [1] These findings suggest that the causal link between synchrony and intimacy extends beyond romantic relationships.

Why Does Synchronized Breathing Matter?

The connection between synchronized breathing and connectedness may stem from a deeply ingrained human tendency for dyadic synchronization, the matching of affective states and biological rhythms for social regulation. This is evident from mother-infant interactions, where synchrony plays a crucial role in bonding and regulating the infant's physiological processes. This fundamental mechanism appears to extend to adult relationships as well, influencing feelings of intimacy and even relationship satisfaction. [6] Furthermore, our brains and breathing are intrinsically linked. Research suggests that brain activity can synchronize with the breathing cycle. [7] This brain-breathing coupling might be a fundamental aspect of how we interact with each other and our environment. The alignment of these internal rhythms through synchronized breathing with another person could contribute to a deeper sense of shared experience and "oneness".

The concept of "Social Breathing" further emphasizes the importance of this interwovenness in relational systems. [8] It suggests that engaging in a relationship involves a mutual, automatic, implicit, and temporal sharing of social content, much like breathing itself. This "social air" is essential for shared intention and joint action.

Looking to the Future with Breth

Understanding the power of synchronized breathing opens exciting possibilities for technology designed to enhance connection. Imagine a tool that allows you to consciously synchronize your breath with another person. This is the vision behind Breth, our haptic-guided breathwork technology. We are thrilled to announce the development of a new syncing feature that will allow two individuals to breathe in perfect harmony with one another by using Breth and being guided by its gentle haptic vibrations. By providing a real-time, shared breathing experience, this feature aims to foster a deeper sense of interpersonal connectedness, mirroring the powerful effects observed in research. Whether you are looking to deepen a romantic bond, connect with a friend, or simply experience the profound sensation of breathing as one, Breth's new syncing feature promises to be a powerful tool for cultivating human connection through the fundamental act of breathing.

Citations:

  1. Sharon-David H, Mizrahi M, Rinott M, Golland Y, & Birnbaum GE. Being on the same wavelength: Behavioral synchrony between partners increases intimacy and desire. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2019; 36(10): 2983–3008
  2. van Ulzen NR, Lamoth CJ, Daffertshofer A, Semin GR, Beek PJ. Characteristics of instructed and uninstructed interpersonal coordination while walking side-by-side. Neurosci Lett. 2008 Feb 20;432(2):88-93. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.11.070. Epub 2007 Dec 15. PMID: 18242846.
  3. Chartrand TL, Lakin JL. The antecedents and consequences of human behavioral mimicry. Annu Rev Psychol. 2013;64:285-308. doi: 10.1146/annurev-psych-113011-143754. Epub 2012 Sep 27. PMID: 23020640.
  4. Lang M, Bahna V, Shaver JH, Reddish P, Xygalatas D. Sync to link: Endorphin-mediated synchrony effects on cooperation. Biol Psychol. 2017 Jul;127:191-197. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.06.001. Epub 2017 Jun 6. PMID: 28596129.
  5. Yin IZ. CBreath: Co-Design a Collaborative Breathing Experience to Create Interpersonal Connectedness. Sociology Mind. 2022; 12(4): 175-204. 
  6. Zeevi L, Klein Selle N, Kellmann EL, Boiman G, Hart Y, Atzil S. Bio-behavioral synchrony is a potential mechanism for mate selection in humans. Sci Rep. 2022 Mar 21;12(1):4786. doi: 10.1038/s41598-022-08582-6. PMID: 35314719; PMCID: PMC8938461.
  7. Goheen J, Anderson JAE, Zhang J, Northoff G. From Lung to Brain: Respiration Modulates Neural and Mental Activity. Neurosci Bull. 2023 Oct;39(10):1577-1590. doi: 10.1007/s12264-023-01070-5. Epub 2023 Jun 7. PMID: 37285017; PMCID: PMC10533478.
  8. Kaiser N, Butler E. Introducing Social Breathing: A Model of Engaging in Relational Systems. Front Psychol. 2021 Apr 8;12:571298. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.571298. PMID: 33897512; PMCID: PMC8060442. 
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