Allay: A Guided Breathing App

Emma Severino

—————

When stress is consistent, it could put one’s health at risk causing irritability, anxiety, depression, headaches, and insomnia. Anxiety and stress are currently being treated with medications that cause side effects like: nausea, thoughts of suicide, & loss of libido. But research shows 20-30 minutes a day of deep breathing reduces anxiety and stress. Breathing correctly is important because it carries oxygen to the brain which makes it easier to perform. I chose this topic because I know of many people, including myself, who deal with anxiety poorly.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), 40 million Americans over the age of 18 are affected by anxiety. This affects nearly 1/5th of the nation's population. Anxiety and stress are currently being treated with medications that cause side effects like: nausea, thoughts of suicide, and loss of libido. Innovative technology can harness a medication-free solution by combining breath monitoring sensors with a mobile application. I am proposing an aid through a mobile app that works with breath monitoring sensors and guided breathing exercises. This app will allow quick and easy access to exercises that accurately guide and monitor one’s breath resulting in lessened feelings of anxiety and stress.