The relationship between breathing and self-reported stress is bidirectional. Respiration pattern is an indicator of stress, but it can also be manipulated to induce calmness.
In this project we explore this relationship via novel means of interaction. BrightBeat is a set of seamless visual, auditory, and tactile interventions that mimic a calming breathing oscillation, with the aim of influencing physiological syncing and consequently bringing a sense of focus and calmness.
The animation above shows an exaggerated version of BrightBeat. These interventions are designed to run easily on commonplace personal electronic devices, respect the user's privacy, and not to require constant focus or attention in order to be effective.