Mindful Breathing (Anapanasati) is noticing the natural breath without counting or pacing, and coming back when the mind wanders. Breath awareness is the core of mindfulness practice, which has a large research base for stress.
How do you do Mindful Breathing?
- Sit comfortably.
- Notice the breath at your nostrils or belly. Don't change it.
- When you notice you've drifted, gently come back. That return is the practice.
The rhythm
Rest 60s
The default rhythm is the gentlest standard one.
What does the research say?
Breath awareness is the core of mindfulness practice, which has a large research base for stress.
Evidence grade C · Early research: Small, uncontrolled or non-randomized studies, or mixed results. Grades describe evidence for feeling calmer, more alert or more focused, never a claim about treating a condition.
Sources
Who should take care with Mindful Breathing?
Before a session the app shows a short caution when it applies:
- With panic attacks or panic disorder: If focusing on the breath makes you anxious, open your eyes and notice sounds instead.
Oxigen is a wellness app, not a medical device. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. If you have a health condition or are pregnant, talk to your doctor before starting, and keep following your care plan.
How Oxigen guides Mindful Breathing
- Rhythm: your natural breath.
- Session length: 3, 5 or 10 minutes.
- Included with Oxigen Premium.
- An orb, a rhythm ring, haptics and optional sound guide each breath, with “I feel unwell” always on screen.
Similar balancing techniques
Updated November 8, 2026. Copy reviewed against Oxigen’s claims policy and technique reference.