The Times Australia
Health

.
Times Media

.

Why the Simple Act of Breathing Is an Underrated Tool for Stress and Anxiety Management

  • Written by Damien Thomas

After spending 20 years in the field of psychology and war crimes investigations in some of the world’s most challenging environments, stress and anxiety quickly became my constant companions. I’ve spent years in countries facing adversity and high risk situations, so managing my own emotions became not just important, but a complete and utter necessity.


During this time though I discovered something incredible - the transformative effects of the simple act of breathing. It’s a common misconception that breathing is a ‘set and forget’ physical reaction to stay alive when in fact, breathing correctly, in a way that is intended to mitigate stress and anxiety, is a learned skill.


It quickly became evident to me that breathing in the right way could profoundly impact emotional regulation. It was an epiphany that changed the course of my career and life. 


My experiences in the field led me to realise that this knowledge, this skill, could benefit everyone, not just individuals in high-stress situations like mine. The challenge, however, was getting people to adopt and maintain proper breathing practices regularly, especially during moments of extreme stress and anxiety. 


And after years of design, production and development, I am now proud to be the founder of bobi - a device that seeks to bridge this gap. Standing for ‘breathe out, breathe in’ - bobi isn’t just another gadget. It’s a tangible, portable solution that physically synchronises breathing with the device, making it easier for people to incorporate proper breathing into their lives. 


bobi is not just a device. It’s a lifeline


An honest representation of my belief in the transformative power of proper breathing, bobi is designed to help people manage their stress and anxiety effectively. I am positively thrilled that the device won a Gold Award at the recent Australian Good Design Awards - it’s a testament to the hard work and innovation my team and I have poured into this product. 


Winning a Gold Award at the Australian Good Design Awards is a testament to the hard work and innovation my team and I have poured into this product. 


bobi’s three settings - two and a half seconds, four seconds, and five and a half seconds - allow users to start at their comfort level and gradually extend their breath. The ultimate goal is to achieve the optimal breathing rate of five and a half seconds in, and five and a half seconds out. 


Beyond stress and anxiety management, bobi champions optimal breathing as a foundational skill for holistic wellbeing. It offers stress alleviation, versatility, a comfort-centric design, and swift integration into daily routines. The tactile guidance and targeted stimulation it provides make it an effective tool for fostering better breathing habits.


bobi isn't just about managing stress; it's about improving overall wellbeing. It also plays a pivotal role in enhancing grip and hand strength, which is becoming increasingly recognised as a key health marker.


A personalised approach for everyone


We’ve designed bobi to be versatile and personalisable, with interchangeable palm pads to cater to individual preferences. It operates on three foundational principles: sight, touch, and guidance, which are crucial in enhancing breathing coaching and fostering active learning.


With all of this in mind, I truly believe bobi is poised to change the way people manage stress and anxiety. I know firsthand that when you’re in the throes of anxiety, or you work in a high stress environment, something is needed to ground you and help you get back on your feet. It’s my sincere hope that bobi will become a trusted companion on the journey to managing anxiety and stress for individuals from all walks of life. 


Damien Thomas is the founder of bobi, a groundbreaking health and wellness tool designed to teach individuals how to breathe properly to manage stress and anxiety.

The Times Features

Designer Wardrobe reports surge in pre-loved wedding gowns

As Australia’s wedding season approaches, and amidst a challenging cost of living backdrop, new insights from Designer Wardrobe reveal that Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) brid...

DIY Bathroom Remodel: Essential Tips for a Fresh Look

As the home improvement craze continues to grow, more folks are diving into the world of DIY projects to transform their living spaces. Among these, bathroom remodels have gain...

STI rates are increasing among midlife and older adults. We need to talk about it

Globally, the rates of common sexually transmissible infections[1] (STIs) are increasing among people aged over 50. In some cases, rates are rising faster than among younger pe...

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Why Tinybeans+ Gift Cards are a game-changer for new parents

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising a child in the digital age, one question looms large: how do you preserve and share your baby's milestones without co...

Group Adventures Made Easy: How to Coordinate Shuttle Services from DCA to IAD

Traveling as a large group can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating busy airports like DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and IAD (Washington...

From Anxiety to Assurance: Proven Strategies to Support Your Child's Emotional Health

Navigating the intricate landscape of childhood emotions can be a daunting task for any parent, especially when faced with common fears and anxieties. However, transforming anxie...

Times Magazine

The Seamless Transition from Blogs to AI-Enhanced Videos

The stuff we see and do online keeps changing because new technologies and websites pop up. We use different things like words, pictures, sounds, and videos. Blogs are one of the oldest and coolest ways people share their thoughts online. They us...

Protect Your Vehicle with a Quality Metal Carport

Advantages of Choosing Metal Carports When you are looking for a way to protect your vehicles from the elements, one of the best options is a metal carport. Metal carport kits in Melbourne offer a variety of advantages over other types of carport...

HYROX - the World Series of Fitness Racing Arrives Down Under

The Fitness Competition for Everybody – Sydney 12 Aug and Melbourne 26 Aug  The world's fastest growing indoor fitness competition, HYROX, is ready to hit  Australian shores with its signature spectacle of endurance, fitness, and human achieveme...

Full capacity: 5 steps to avoid forklift damage

There is a very good reason why Australia maintains rigorous forklift safety standards. The truth is, not everyone can be trusted on this dangerous machinery, and the uninitiated are simply a risk to themselves, their colleagues and the machine. ...

Mastering the art of food photography by Kirsty Owen, WOW Pictures

Food photography is the ultimate in visual storytelling.  From the crispy, delicate croissant to be indulged at daybreak,  the glistening cocktail set against the sunset, to the appetising cheese on offer at a regional food festival, food photograp...

The benefits of multilingual data management (2023)

Organizations and businesses that produce a lot of data in different languages need to manage their data effectively for record purposes. Multilingual Data Management refers to the process of creating and storing data in different languages. Bel...