Breathr 3.0 launched in August 2023 and an evaluation has highlighted that the app supports people in developing a mindfulness practice. We wanted to share a little bit about the app and results from the evaluation in the four months since it was released. Results also highlight that a regular practice of mindfulness has noticeable benefits for a person’s overall health and well-being.

What is Breathr?

Developed in 2017 by BC Children’s Kelty Mental Health Resource Centre and BC Children’s Centre for Mindfulness, Breathr is a free mobile application that introduces mindfulness in fun and accessible ways.

Breathr offers a variety of mindfulness practices, from guided meditations to simple practices that can be used anywhere. Originally created for young people, Breathr 3.0 has been re-developed to cater for the wider BCCH audience, which includes parents and caregivers, as well as health professionals. This new version also includes additional features such as being able to favourite activities, a journal feature to add notes on feelings or thoughts that come up, and being able to filter activities by outcome, topic, or stressor to easily find what you’re looking for.

As we know from research, practicing mindfulness can support social and emotional well-being by reducing stress, insomnia, anxiety and depression; improving memory and focus; and strengthening our connection and relationships with others. Breathr highlights that mindfulness can be fun, easy to try, and can have benefits on overall health and well-being.

Metrics

Since Breathr 3.0’s launched in August, it has had over 5100 downloads:

• Over 1700 downloads on the App Store
• Over 3400 downloads on Google Play

This is an impressive number, given the promotion was mostly focused internally to patients, parents and caregivers and hospital staff connected to BC Children’s Hospital. Other promotion included social media advertising and a promotional video on YouTube.

Metrics from Google showed:

Most visited content:

1. Mindful Breathing exercise, used over 4000 times
2. Body Scan, 1900 times
3. Sitting mediation, 1200 visits

Most favorited content:

1. Mindful Breathing
2. Breathing
3. Self-Compassion.

Feedback from users

“I was exposed to mindfulness at an early age, but I do feel that Breathr provides ready access to mindfulness practice. Sometimes when I am looking at my phone and about to have a phone call, I think this would be great after my phone call.” - Health Professional

“I used the loving kindness meditation with my own kids and it’s definitely helped the relationship with them. It’s been powerful and transforming for me.” – Parent/Caregiver

Access a FREE download and learn more about Breathr here.