Respiratory Biofeedback: Breathe Better with eSense

General Information on Breathing and Breath Training

Breathing is one of the most fundamental yet often overlooked aspects of our physiology. Unlike heart rate or skin conductance, breathing can be consciously controlled, making it an excellent entry point for biofeedback training.

Most people breathe about 12-20 times per minute at rest, but this rate can increase dramatically during stress. Fast, shallow breathing activates the sympathetic nervous system, perpetuating the stress response. Slow, deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.

Key breathing metrics monitored by eSense Respiration:

• Breathing rate: Breaths per minute
• Breath depth: Volume of each breath
• Breathing rhythm: Regularity of the pattern
• Inhalation/Exhalation ratio: Balance between phases

Research shows that slowing the breathing rate to around 6 breaths per minute can significantly reduce stress and anxiety while improving heart rate variability (HRV). This is the foundation of coherence breathing techniques.

Biofeedback with eSense Respiration

The eSense Respiration sensor works in conjunction with your eSense Skin Response to provide comprehensive biofeedback training. The elastic belt is comfortable to wear over clothing and accurately detects even subtle changes in breathing patterns.

Why combine respiration with skin conductance biofeedback?

Breathing directly affects skin conductance. By monitoring both your breathing and electrodermal activity simultaneously, you can:

• See how breathing changes affect your stress level
• Develop awareness of the connection between breath and body
• Build more effective relaxation techniques

Advanced: Combine with eSense Pulse for HRV training

For the ultimate biofeedback experience, you can also use eSense Respiration together with eSense Pulse. This allows you to practice coherent breathing synchronized with your heart rhythm (HRV biofeedback) - a powerful technique for stress resilience and autonomic balance.

Training with the Breathing Aid:

The eSense app includes a breathing aid feature that displays optimal breathing patterns on screen. Follow the visual guide to practice slow, deep breathing at your target rate. Audio feedback confirms when you match the pattern, reinforcing proper technique.

Regular practice with respiration biofeedback can help establish healthier breathing habits that persist even when you're not actively training.