A breathing timer you follow with your eyes closed

What paced breathing is

Paced breathing is breathing to a set count, usually slower than you would breathe on your own. The timer keeps the count, so all you do is follow it.

The rhythms

• 4-6 Calm Reset. In for four, out for six, nothing held.
• 5-5 Even Breath. In for five and out for five, with nothing held at either end.
• 4-4-4-4 Box Breath. Four equal counts, before a hard moment.
• 4-7-8 Four Seven Eight. In for four, a pause for seven, then a long breath out for eight.

New to this? Start with 4-6 breathing or First Week.

Why sound

A visual timer needs your eyes on the screen. This one runs on sound, so you can close your eyes and still know where you are in each breath.

Before you start

Breathe softly: there is no need to fill your lungs. Stop and breathe normally if you feel light-headed. Not while driving or in water. Box breathing and 4-7-8 hold the breath for a few seconds: if you are pregnant, or you have a heart or lung condition or epilepsy, talk to a doctor before practising breath holds.

Take it with you

These rhythms are in the app, free, with the same sound and a history of what you practised. No ads, and it works without a signal.

On Android now. iPhone later.

Try a rhythm: 4-6 breathing · Resonance breathing · Box breathing · 4-7-8 breathing · Deep breathing: slower, not deeper · Global Rhythm