R & R
abbreviation

- rest and relaxation; rest and recreation; rest and recuperation

Merriam-Webster

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WORD ORIGIN

The abbreviations “R&R” “R & R” “R and R” are from the military and are attested by 1953. They synonymously refer to “rest and relaxation”, “rest and recovery”, and “rest and recuperation”.

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HOW TO ACHIEVE INSTANT R & R

Try the so-called “physiological sigh”, a proven technique to promote rapid relaxation.

sigh = der Seufzer; seufzen

The physiological sigh is a natural bodily function that occurs in humans and many animals, characterized by a spontaneous double inhale followed by a longer exhale. This deep breathing pattern helps regulate the respiratory system and is often triggered in response to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, which can be caused by stress, anxiety, or other factors.

The physiological sigh helps reinflate small air sacs in the lungs called alveoli, which are responsible for gas exchange. When these alveoli collapse, the body’s ability to take in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide becomes compromised. The double inhale during a physiological sigh increases the volume of air in the lungs, allowing the alveoli to reinflate and restore normal gas exchange.

One of the earliest scientific studies on the subject was published in 1938 by the American physiologist John W. Severinghaus. Severinghaus and his colleagues observed that deep breaths or sighs could reinflate collapsed alveoli and improve lung function. Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, researchers investigated the neural control of breathing and the role of the central nervous system; and more recent studies have explored the benefits of consciously practicing the physiological sigh as a stress management technique.

To perform a physiological sigh:

1. Sit or stand in a comfortable position.

2. Take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your lungs to about 80-90% capacity.

3. Quickly take another smaller breath in, filling your lungs completely.

4. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth, allowing your body to relax as you release the air.

5. Repeat the process 2 or 3 times, or more often, as needed.

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SYNONYMS

- recreation or rest, especially after a period of work

beer and skittles, breather, breathing space, catching one’s breath, cup of tea, decompression, diversion, divertissement, fun and games, hitting the pause button, interlude, intermission, junketing, kicks, let-up, me-time, merrymaking, partying, playtime, putting one’s feet up, recharging the batteries, R & R, recess, recreation, refreshment, regeneration, renewal, respite, rest, rest and recreation, rest and relaxation, restoration, sabbatical,  self-care, solace, time of (out), unwinding (the clock), well-deserved break

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SMUGGLE OWAD into an English conversation, say something like:

“It’s estimated that the average person sighs approximately once every 5-minutes per waking hour. That’s 12 sighs per hour, 192 sighs per day — those are great opportunities to practice some R & R.“

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