Breathe2Relax app

Breathe2Relax app

  • An app for people wanting to learn relaxation breathing techniques to manage stress and anxiety.
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Breathe2Relax app By National Center for Telehealth and Technology (U.S. Department of Defense)

Features

  • Guided relaxation.
  • Education and information.
Clinical review 

5 star review


Read a clinical review below.

Security and privacy

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ

Cost Free
How to get the app

This app begins with a video explaining diaphragmatic breathing. When stressed or anxious users can start the breathing tool which has both a visual and audio component guiding them through 16 deep breaths. The app allows users to rate and keep track of their stress levels over time. The app has a ‘learn’ section which includes information on the biology of stress, the effects of stress on different parts of the body, and diaphragmatic breathing. For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS CONS 

App allows customisation such as setting the inhale and exhale length, selecting background music and scenery.

Users have to agree to very wordy terms and conditions at start.

✘  How to breathe video tutorial can’t be stopped or paused.

✘  Not visually appealing (few graphics).

Clinical review

5 star review



Rev
iewer: Dr Carlos Lam Yang, General Practitioner, Auckland
Date of review: November 2017
Platform: Android
Version: 2.9

Comments: The app is for anyone particularly those going through a lot of stress. Users can learn how to relieve stress, anxiety and depression via breathing techniques. The app is easy to follow with minimum jargon. Users can select their preferred background music and graphics (although users are unable to select a soundtrack from their own collection). There is a lack of other colour palettes to choose and a lack of other languages.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: The app is relevant to all English-speaking culture.


Clinical review

5 star review



R
eviewer: Dr S Vijay, General Practitioner, Auckland
Date of review: November 2017
Comments: The app helps users with anxiety, stress and depression to learn to breathe. The app is easy to use and practical; - it gives a brief background on basics of breathing. 
Safety concerns: If not used properly the breathing exercise in the app may cause dizziness.
New Zealand relevance: Fine

Mani M, Kavanagh DJ, Hides L, Stoyanov SR. Review and Evaluation of Mindfulness-Based iPhone Apps(external link). JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2015 Aug 19;3(3):e82.

Coulon SM, Monroe CM, West DS. A Systematic, Multi-domain Review of Mobile Smartphone Apps for Evidence-Based Stress Management.(external link) Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jul;51(1):95-105.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

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