1. App Details
Name: Aeri
Type: Breathing / nervous-system regulation app
Platform: iOS / Android
Cost: Free and advert-free
2. What the App Is Designed to Do
This app provides five different breathing routines designed to support sleep and calm the nervous system.
3. Why I Tried It
I’m always on the lookout for tools that might help me calm down and unwind after work, and to help regulate myself after my daughter has had an episode—a time when I often get palpitations, headaches, and generally feel pretty dreadful.
4. My Experience Using the App
I found the app easy to understand and straightforward to use.
The five breathing routines are:
- LVL UP breathing – to increase your resilience
- Resonance breathing – to calm your mind
- Breathing to reset – to centre yourself
- Calm breathing – to relieve tension
- Breathing for sleep – to drift into sleep more easily
Once you press start on any routine, a line appears on the screen. It travels upwards as you breathe in, goes flat when you hold your breath, and moves downwards when it’s time to breathe out.
This visual is paired with sound cues: a rising tone as you inhale, a soft blip when you hold, and a descending tone as you exhale. You can also enable phone vibration for additional guidance.
A timer is displayed so you can see how long is left in the routine.
5. What I Found Helpful
The routines last around 10–12 minutes, which is long enough for me to feel a noticeable physical shift. If they were any longer, I think I’d be put off doing them.
My favourite routine is the Calm Breathing session. It’s incredibly simple, and every time I use it I wonder why on earth I need an app for something so basic. But the truth is that it’s much easier to keep to a steady rhythm when something is guiding you.
6. Limitations or Things to Consider
It’s not a magic wand that will make all your problems disappear—if only!
If I’ve felt particularly trapped or started dissociating when my daughter is episoding, I often need to move my body first— go for a walk, or perhaps do a bit of yoga — something to discharge some of the stored up stress, before I can settle into a breathing exercise.
7. Who I’d Recommend It For
I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to see whether a short, structured breathing routine might help them calm down or improve their sleep.
8. Final Thoughts
I like this app because I find it effective, it’s easy to use, and it is completely free and advert-free (at the time of publishing). However, there are plenty of other breathing apps out there to explore, if this particular one doesn’t work for you.
Download the app:
