Need a break? When John found that coherent breathing seemed to help his heart arrhythmia, he composed a specific piece of music as a guide for experiencing its benefits. This video cycles inhalations for 5.5 seconds with exhalations for 5.5 seconds, paired with John’s score and some peaceful nature videos.
Don't worry about counting—you can just follow the circle in the video. If you prefer to close your eyes, just listen and breathe with the chord changes.
According to a 2016 article in The New York Times, controlled breathing has been shown to reduce stress, increase alertness and boost your immune system. Studies show that it can help reduce symptoms associated with anxiety, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and attention deficit disorder.
Give it a try and let us know how it works for you!
For more information and techniques, check out James Nestor’s excellent book, Breath, The New Science of a Lost Art.