App Profile: ReachOut Breathe

ReachOut Breathe helps you reduce the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety by slowing down your breathing and your heart rate with your iPhone or Apple Watch.

Research shows that slowing your heart rate can increase feelings of calmness in your body. Using simple visuals, ReachOut Breathe helps you to control your breath and measures your heart rate in real-time using the camera in your phone. This means that you can actively address the onset of physical stress symptoms such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate and a tightening of the chest.

HOW TO MEASURE YOUR HEART RATE
- Your heart rate is measured by analysing changes to the colour of your fingertip, using your camera and flash.
- To measure your heart rate, hit 'start' and gently hold your finger over the camera and flash on the back of your device.
- When the recording is complete, you will be able to compare your heart rate with your last measurement

HOW TO USE THE BREATHE TOOL
- Start by placing your finger on the screen and breathing in until the circle fills
- Lift your finger off the screen and hold your breath until the yellow line has gone all the way around the circle.
- breathe out until the circle fades out
- You can start using ReachOut Breathe with the default settings, then change the breathing intervals or duration if you feel it's too fast or slow

ABOUT CONTROLLED BREATHING
Your breathing changes when you're feeling stressed or anxious. You may take short, quick, shallow breaths which can make you feel worse.

When you actively try to slow down your breathing you can slow down your heart rate, to help you feel better and recover from the symptoms of stress and anxiety more quickly.

Controlled breathing can help you deal with stress or anxiety, but it does take practice. We suggest using the app at least twice a day to start. Then, when you've got it down, use it whenever you need to calm your breathing. You can use ReachOut Breathe at any time, wherever you are. For example:

- Before stressful times like exams, presentations or sporting events
- Before bedtime, to help you fall asleep
- Before or after situations that make you feel anxious
- Whenever you feel like relaxing

DISCLAIMER
If you feel out-of-breath, light-headed or unwell at any time, stop using the app immediately. You may need to change the breathing intervals in settings, or see a medical professional if your symptoms continue.

ReachOut Breathe is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat any condition or disease. Measurements and statistics are intended for research, informational and educational purposes only.