Side by side
Box breathing or cyclic sighing?
Box breathing keeps four equal counts with holds — steady, for focus. Cyclic sighing is a double breath in and a long breath out, with no holds — quicker to reach for, and in a Stanford study it lifted mood the most.
Triangle or box breathing?
Triangle is box breathing without the hold after the out-breath — gentler, good to begin with. Box adds the fourth side for a steadier rhythm.
4-7-8 or the extended exhale?
Both slow you down with a long out-breath. 4-7-8 adds a long hold and a stronger slowdown; the extended exhale has no holds at all.
Questions
What is the best breathing exercise for anxiety?
In an anxious moment, the ones with a long out-breath — cyclic sighing, the extended exhale — are quick to reach for; box breathing gives your attention four even counts to hold on to. None is a treatment for an anxiety disorder: if anxiety runs your days, talk to a doctor.
How long should a breathing exercise take?
One to five minutes is enough for most of them; resonance breathing is usually practised for ten to twenty. A little every day counts for more than a lot once.
Do I have to count?
In each guide, follow its flower. In Halebloom, a living world opens and closes with every breath, a voice (Pro) and soft taps from Apple Watch keep the rhythm, and you can set your own counts or let it start at your own pace.
In Halebloom
Six exercises, one living world.
Halebloom has all six, free — plus your own counts, a pace tuned to you, and Drift, with no counting at all. Fifteen worlds breathe with you; a voice (Pro) and soft taps on your wrist from Apple Watch guide you with your eyes closed.
Free to download. Every exercise is free.
