Why the ‘Breathe’ App for Apple Watch Is Crucial for Adults

With all of the stress most people experience day-to-day, life often feels pretty crazy. Whether it’s a long day at the office, or noisy kids running around the house, it’s easy to get worked up during the day. Sometimes the best thing to do is to take a moment to breathe. With the latest watchOS update, Apple provides a new way to help do just that.

Apple’s Breathe app encourages Apple Watch users to engage in deep breathing exercises – When first opened, the app will give suggestions on how to breathe better. Afterwards, it’s time to begin. Each session can be planned out for a specific length of time. The bare minimum is one minute, but Apple Watch users can set the time up to five minutes with the watch’s Digital Crown.

Why should you care about a simple breathing app? My time studying psychology and therapy has taught me the importance of a deep breathing. Such exercises involve taking long deep breaths in and slowly exhaling in succession. The act itself activates the parasympathetic nervous system is the opposing reaction from the sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system calms the body while the sympathetic nervous system prepares the body for action, leading to what many call the “flight-or-fight response.”

The sense of danger triggers the sympathetic nervous system. The heart races and adrenaline flows, allowing the affected to act in whatever way necessary in order to survive. Unfortunately, the flight-or-fight response can activate irrationally when there is no real danger at all. Deep breathing is effective because it allows the parasympathetic system to take over.

Apple’s Breathe app keeps record of the user’s beats-per-minute and even provides haptic feedback letting signaling the body when it’s time to inhale.

The Breathe app is another way Apple Watch owners can be mindful of their health. How often do we forget to take a moment to breathe and calm ourselves? It’s a good habit to get into and can help relieve stress and anxiety, something that most adults would agree is an issue they face every day.

Sometimes our own thoughts sabotage ourselves, triggering the sympathetic nervous system, hindering ourselves from success at work, and even happiness at home. If this happens, load the Breathe app and relax.