Introduction to Breathing Exercises

In the chaos of the 21st century, not only has it become hard to step out of our laptops and phone screens, but it has also hampered our way of living, leading to various chronic diseases. It is crucial to take some time out to sit peacefully, reflect on ourselves, and just breathe. Finding time for meditation and reflection is very limited, but let's not forget that getting stuck in monotonous work leaves us no time for ourselves. Meditation should be an important part of the routine, and to start with, breathing exercises are the most healthy habit physically and mentally.

Beginner Tips for Breathing Exercises

1. •

   Meditation and breathing techniques vary from person to person, and as a beginner, various things should be considered:

2. •

   The breathing exercises range from simplest to complex; therefore, starting slow and progressing eventually is always advisable.

3. •

   Find a time of peace and calm in your routine. Early morning is the best time to sit down and take a deep breath.

4. •

   Relax your body and mind while performing breathing exercises.

5. •

   Let the thoughts come and go; do not restrict yourself and your mind. 6.If you find it difficult to sit for a long period of time, start with 10 minutes and increase to 5 minutes daily to the timing.

Mindfulness is a process, and breathing exercises are small steps we take towards it. It is essential to feel optimistic, overcome anxiety, have a better sleep schedule, and focus on our thoughts to reflect on them and be better people.

Moreover, breathing exercises are also helpful in conditions like COPD, asthma, and respiratory disorders. They help overcome these conditions and are also suggested by health professionals to start breathing exercises for healing.

Let's look at a few apps that can help kick-start your breathing journey.

Top 10 Apps for Breathing Exercises

There are thousands of apps in the Play Store and App Store. Finding the best app according to the stage we are in, whether beginner or professional, can be challenging. We have curated a list of applications that will help in your journey of breathing exercises.

1. Headspace

Headspace is a great application that works on both Android and iOS. It gives a 14-day free trial before actually paying for the application. It helps you find more joy, get a better night's sleep, and make your days much happier.

Features of Headspace:

1. •Playlists for various moods, such as a playlist to calm down anxiety
2. •Focus on a better sleep schedule
3. •Breathwork courses in a routine

2. Better Breathe

Following the list, we have Better Breathe, a simple and beginner-friendly application that can help you continue your breathing journey with a positive attitude. This app focuses on consistency and daily routine and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices.

Features of Better Breathe:

1. •Focus on consistency
2. •Daily tasks and exercises
3. •Helps lower anxiety and stress

3. Breathing Zone

Breathing Zone is one of the best and most straightforward applications when starting the journey toward breathing and inner peace. This app is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. It analyzes the breath in 5 minutes and gives you real-time data about mindfulness.

Features of Breathing Zone:

1. •Mindfulness in just 5 minutes
2. •Breath analyzer to set a target and work accordingly
3. •Focus on lowering blood pressure through breathing and animation

4. Calm

Calm is one of the most calming applications in the sea of apps. This app has a very pleasing appeal to it. It is available on Android and iOS and is free to use unless you want a premium version.

Features of Calm:

1. •Personalizes the experience by asking questions
2. •Provides masterclasses from world-renowned mindfulness experts
3. •Offers peaceful visuals and audio while meditating

5. Prana Breath - Calm & Meditate

Prana Breath makes gymnastics and meditation accessible and fun. The app aims to improve cognitive skills, reduce stress and anxiety, and help with better sleep. This app is available only on Android.

Features of Prana Breath:

1. •Customizable patterns for breathing and meditation
2. •40+ training patterns for effective guidance
3. •Provides detailed statistics about breathing patterns

6. iBreathe

iBreathe is an amazing application but is only available for iOS devices at the moment. This simple application guides you while breathing and sleeping and helps in reducing stress and anxiety.

Features of iBreathe:

1. •Integrated with Apple Health apps to provide real-time health statistics
2. •Easy and friendly user interface
3. •Pre-defined exercises for an enhanced experience

7. Relax - Stress and Anxiety Relief

Relax provides anxiety and stress relief in just 5 minutes. It is available on Android, iOS, and Apple TV. It is an ideal app for stress management and leading a mindful life.

Features of Relax:

1. •Musical cues for every step of breathing
2. •Session-wise meditation features
3. •Quick start feature for ease of use

8. Kardia Deep Breathing

Kardia Deep Breathing helps with paced breathing for proper meditation and well-being. The application is compatible with both Android and iOS. This deep breathing app focuses on relieving stress and anxiety by providing simple exercises and guidance.

Features of Kardia:

1. •5-7 minutes of cyclic exercises
2. •Personalized inhale and exhale ratio settings
3. •Audio aids for guidance

9. Breathwrk

Breathwrk helps with breathing and mindfulness and is available on both Android and iOS. This brilliant application will track your progress.

Features of Breathwrk:

1. •Guides to reduce stress and anxiety
2. •Focus on a better sleep schedule
3. •Easy and friendly user interface

Conclusion

Living a life with mindfulness and peace is not easy, but it is crucial. Stepping into calm will help you reflect and live a better life. Moreover, breathing exercises can help overcome diseased conditions. Generally, when we sit for meditation, we often never continue because of the lack of motivation. These amazing breathing apps will help you stay consistent and lead a peaceful life. If you are a pregnant woman, choose your best app after consulting with your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the importance of breathing exercises in the 21st century?

Breathing exercises play a crucial role in combating the stress and chronic diseases prevalent in the modern era. They provide a pathway to relaxation and improved physical and mental well-being.

Q2: How should beginners approach breathing exercises?

Beginners should start with simple breathing exercises and gradually progress to more complex ones. It's essential to find a peaceful time in the routine, relax the body and mind, and allow thoughts to come and go without restriction.

Q3: What are some recommended breathing apps for beginners?

Some recommended breathing apps for beginners include Headspace, Better Breathe, Breathing Zone, Calm, and Prana Breath. These apps offer guided exercises, mindfulness techniques, and personalized experiences to support beginners in their journey.

Q4: Are there any breathing apps specifically designed for stress and anxiety relief?

Yes, there are several breathing apps tailored for stress and anxiety relief, such as Relax - Stress and Anxiety Relief, iBreathe, and Breathwrk. These apps provide quick sessions, calming visuals, and audio cues to alleviate stress and promote relaxation.

Q5: Can breathing exercises help in overcoming diseased conditions?

Yes, breathing exercises have been found to be beneficial in managing conditions like COPD, asthma, and respiratory disorders. They improve lung function, reduce anxiety, and promote overall well-being, often recommended by health professionals as part of the healing process.