Breathing exercise · 5 · 5
Coherent 5-5 breathing — 5 · 5 — for creative work, if you are tired of apps
The pattern is 5 · 5, which is five seconds in, five seconds out — about six breaths a minute.
Follow the circle. It counts for you.
How it works
Breathe in for 5 seconds, out for 5 seconds. Same speed both ways, no pauses. No account, no streak, no notification asking how you feel. Let the physical world hold your attention.
Why it can help
Equal breathing tends to be easier on people who find holds uncomfortable or anxiety-provoking.
The pattern, in seconds
| Phase | Length | Starts at |
|---|---|---|
| Inhale | 5s | 0s |
| Exhale | 5s | 5s |
One round is 10 seconds. At the default 6 rounds this practice runs 60 seconds — about 1 minute — plus a breath or two of ordinary breathing between rounds.
Good for
- when you are the only person awake in the house
- when you cannot sleep and do not want to get up
- as a way to mark the end of the working day
Tips
- If your mind wanders to counting the rounds left, that is normal. Come back to the numbers.
- Do it with your shoulders still. The movement should be in your ribs and belly.
- No holds means no buildup. The rhythm does all the work.
Please note
If holding your breath makes you dizzy or uncomfortable, skip the holds entirely and breathe slowly and evenly instead. Never push through lightheadedness. If you are pregnant, or manage a heart, blood pressure or lung condition, check with a doctor before doing breath holds.