We live in a time where our brains process more stimuli per day than ever before. From push notifications to endless scrolling: our nervous system is rarely ‘off’. The consequences are clear: stress, fatigue, concentration problems and the constant feeling you never truly relax.
I noticed this myself when my breathing became shallow after hours behind screens. My head was full, but my body barely got oxygen. That’s when I discovered how a simple tool like the Respira breathing necklace can help break free from the digital grip — an analogue reset for a digital world.
The problem: digital overload
Research shows that on average people pick up their phone more than 150 times a day. Each time, your heart rate spikes briefly as your brain processes a new stimulus. Studies from Harvard Medical School link this notification overload to increased cortisol — the stress hormone.
But it’s not just your brain that suffers: your breathing also changes. Excessive screen time leads to “email apnoea”: short moments of breath-holding while typing or reading. This creates muscle tension, headaches and even anxiety.
The paradox of wellness apps
More and more people seek calm through digital wellness apps. Ironically, these apps can worsen the problem. Every extra app means more notifications, more screen time, more dependency. It’s the digital paradox: you try to disconnect, yet you keep reaching for your phone.
That’s why interest in analogue alternatives is growing: simple, tangible tools that bring you back to your body.
Analogue calm: back to basics
This is where Respira comes in. Instead of opening yet another app, you pick up a subtle necklace that helps you breathe deeper instantly. It’s a digital detox in your pocket: no notifications, no distraction, just you and your breath.
And this fits perfectly in a broader trend. From minimalism to slow living: more and more people want to strip digital clutter and return to simplicity. Respira connects seamlessly to that need.
Practical Digital Detox Routine
A digital detox doesn’t mean throwing away your phone. Small conscious moments make all the difference. Here’s the routine I use myself:
- ✓ Morning start: before grabbing my phone, I take 5 breaths with the Respira breathing necklace.
- ✓ Work blocks: after 60 minutes of screen time I schedule 2 minutes of breathing space. No screen, just breathing.
- ✓ Social media break: instead of scrolling, I practice conscious breathing as a reset.
- ✓ Evening ritual: screens off one hour before sleep, 10 deep breaths with Respira to calm my nervous system.
The science behind it
Neuroscientific research confirms that analogue micro-rituals like breathing exercises activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This part of the nervous system is responsible for rest, recovery and safety.
Similar techniques have been used for thousands of years: from Tummo breathing by Tibetan monks to modern methods like the Wim Hof method.
Respira brings together ancient wisdom and modern science in a tool you can use anywhere — discreetly at the office, while traveling or at home.
Connect with other insights
- ✓ Want to explore the science of breathing? Read The fascinating science behind conscious breathing.
- ✓ Curious about ancient wisdom of breathing? Discover From Buddha to modern science: 2500 years of breathing wisdom.
- ✓ Need a practical comparison? Check Breathing techniques compared: from Wim Hof to Fire Breath.
- ✓ Parent? Read Breathing for parents: finding calm in chaos.
- ✓ Or see how to apply breathing at work in Breathing at work: manage stress without colleagues noticing.
- ✓ And don’t forget winter: Winter stress breathing: why your nervous system needs extra care.
Conclusion: finding balance in a digital world
A digital detox isn’t just a trend — it’s a necessity. Our brains and bodies need breaks. And that calm doesn’t need to be complicated or high-tech. Sometimes it’s as simple as one conscious breath.
The Respira breathing necklace reminds me daily that calm is always within reach. Not in your screen, but in yourself.