Box breathing box
January 8, 2018 7:30 PM   Subscribe

Box breathing box - I wanted a device for box breathing, the technique where you breath in/hold/out/hold for 4 seconds. A device that wasn't a phone or computer. I built one, out of wood, plexiglas, metal, transistors, and a tiny bit of code. Then gave it the photo studio treatment, shared the code, and wrote about the experience.[via mefi projects]
posted by Ufez Jones (12 comments total) 23 users marked this as a favorite
 
What a lovely object! Great execution of the concept.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:39 PM on January 8, 2018


Gorgeous. I want one.
posted by lazaruslong at 7:50 PM on January 8, 2018


> lazaruslong:
"Gorgeous. I want one."

Nope. I get yours and then you get mine.
posted by Samizdata at 7:53 PM on January 8, 2018


I’d love to see a video of it in action.
posted by matildaben at 9:23 PM on January 8, 2018 [2 favorites]


> The microcontroller is overkill: a 32u4 Basic Proto Feather would have run more efficiently
I'd have gone with an angled LED, a 555 and a couple of resistors/capacitors or something. This thing has like a gazillion transistors, an LED array and *wifi* FFS. Christ I'm old :(

> I’d love to see a video of it in action.
The image at the top of the linked page is that, though it was a while before anything beyond the first frame loaded for me.
posted by merlynkline at 11:55 PM on January 8, 2018 [3 favorites]


...555...
I was also thinking the Feather controller was a bit overkill, but its cheap and you can easily add different timings or sequences later, like the static apnea training sequences used to train for freediving, or different meditative breathing sequences or cycles... Or have it turn on periodically as a reminder to take a break and practice... hmm maybe I need to make one :)
posted by thefool at 3:53 AM on January 9, 2018


That is a beautiful thing. Nice work!
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 5:31 AM on January 9, 2018 [1 favorite]


I posted this in the project thread.. If you want to try out box breathing yourself, this web page has a little visual aid. It's not as nice as the box but it's easy to try.
posted by Nelson at 7:37 AM on January 9, 2018 [1 favorite]


I just count heartbeats while breathing.
posted by njohnson23 at 8:47 AM on January 9, 2018 [1 favorite]


I find an random stranger in the store and count their heartbeats while breathing. Keeps things statistically regular, and it's usually a bonding experience once they stop screaming and I let go of their wrist.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 8:51 AM on January 9, 2018 [9 favorites]


and *wifi* FFS

To be fair, how else would you be able to tweet your breathing? It's not like he integrated it into an Alexa or something...
posted by spacewrench at 12:27 PM on January 9, 2018 [2 favorites]


So this is the thing my watch is always nagging me to do, sort of?
posted by rokusan at 11:03 PM on January 9, 2018


« Older Google sued over 'male discrimination'   |   BBC Reporter Mobbed By Lemurs Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments