The science of breathing
Glimp helps people breathe better. But why?
Why should I breathe better?

“80% of humans breathe too fast, leading to unnecessary stress” - Emma Ferris, 2021.

The tempo of your breathing is highly related to how your body deals with stress. Slow breathing lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, it signals the body to calm down. Taking conscious control of your breathing, is becoming the conductor of your own body. You will directly control what’s at play in your mind and body.

How do I breathe better?

Relaxation is in the exhalation. Every time you exhale, your heart rate will slow down a little bit. A deep sigh, for example, is a direct signal to the body to calm down.

Breathing has direct control over your nervous system, which consists of two parts. First, the sympathetic nervous system for ‘fight & flight’. This system prepares us for action when we face challenges. The other part, called the parasympathetic nervous system, helps us to ‘rest & digest’. You can also see them as the gas & brake pedal of the body.

Better breathing is taking conscious control of this gas or brake pedal.

How does Glimp help me breathe better?

Glimp’s Pebbles help you to build the healthy habit of conscious breathing. Through daily practice you will learn to internalize these breathing techniques and apply them in your daily life. The vibrations will guide you in the exact right breathing rhythm and afterwards we can show you the results through our sensor and app.

Science is within Glimp’s
core identity
3 generations

Glimp is constantly improving the product!

3 years

of research and development

40+ coaches

use Pebbles in practice

Although people have been practicing breathing techniques for thousands of years, it remains difficult to scientifically prove the effectiveness. This has hindered the implementation of evidence-based breathwork interventions within standard healthcare.

The expertise within our technical team enables us to leverage the power of AI and data science to innovate within this research domain. We’ve partnered up with healthcare professionals and research institutions to validate the effectiveness of our device. The Pebbles are co-created and tested with doctors, psychologists, (breath) coaches, (holistic) therapists, academics, and our end-users.

The positive health benefits of conscious breathing

Breathe and relax

BREATHING AND STRESS

Stress is a common reaction to life's hurdles, yet research suggests that functional breathing can be a key to managing it. By consciously slowing down your breath, you can trigger a relaxation response in your brain, helping to alleviate stress and create a sense of calm.

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Breathe right, sleep tight

BREATHING & SLEEP

Achieving a good night's sleep can sometimes be challenging, but research shows that breathing exercises can be helpful. By promoting relaxation through specific breathing techniques, you pave the way for a better night's sleep, making falling and staying asleep less difficult.

Breathe out your burnout

BREATHING & BURNOUT

Burnout, often stemming from long-term workplace stress, can be significantly relieved through simple breathing exercises, as studies have shown. Incorporating these exercises into your daily routine acts like a reset button and allows you to decompress, aiding in emotional recovery and rejuvenation to tackle work demands with renewed vigor.

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Calm session card

Calm is one breath away

BREATHING & ANXIETY

Anxiety can be quite unsettling, but breathing exercises provide a handy tool to combat it, as backed by research. Engaging in deep or rhythmic breathing can help lessen the symptoms of anxiety, offering a sense of calm and control when stuck in anxious thoughts.

More than a gadget,
professional care

Direct access to a coach from our network. In a 30-minute online session, the breath coach can provide personal lifestyle advice, supported by your personal biodata.

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Become a Research Partner!

Interested in collaborating in the field of research, data science or (dis) functional breathing? Glimp has now analyzed > 20,000 breathing sessions. We are happy to contribute to the scientific research field of breathwork!
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Research partners
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Awards won
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Vitality partners
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Research partners
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Our partners
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MEDIA ATTENTION
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AWARDS & PRIZES
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Frequently asked questions

01

How does Glimp measure whether I'm breathing properly?

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Every time you exhale, your heart rate slows slightly, and when you inhale, it speeds up again. These small changes can be measured via our sensor. In addition, we use an indicator called “heart coherence” to determine whether this breathing rate suits your level.
02

What is heart rate variability and why is it useful

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Heart rate variability (HRV) is the strongest scientific indicator we have for a healthy heart and a calm mind.

Your heart is not a metronome. When it ticks, it constantly adapts to everything that happens around it. If your heart is healthy, it will show high variability and will constantly adjust its pace (= high HRV). A higher HRV is a good sign, which indicates that our body is good at dealing with stress and can relax when needed. Breathing exercises help improve your heart rate variability.
03

How does Glimp measure mental health?

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The basis for our insight into mental health lies in the HRV measurements. Our algorithm and biosensor are specifically designed to search for parameters within these measurements that tell us something about emotional resilience, stress response and the ability to control your own “accelerator and brake pedals”.
04

What is the difference between breathing rate and breathing rhythm?

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One complete breathing cycle consists of four elements: INHALE - HOLD - EXHALE - PAUSE. Therefore, the “breathing pace” may be different from the “breathing rhythm”.

Breathing rate refers to how many times you breathe in 1 minute. The breathing rhythm tells you HOW to breathe, within 1 breathing cycle.

Through different vibrations, the Pebbles can teach you to use these four elements of breathing.
Get in touch

Questions? Ask a Glimp breath coach

We're here to help. If you have specific questions about the science behind what we do. Or if you want to know if breathing can help in your situation, feel free to get in touch!