Live data from Hacker News

What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

npr.org

71–80 of 137 posts

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#71
post #21

I've never been more conscious of my breath while computing than when I was playing Subnautica[0], which proffers a (notoriously tense) game loop significantly involving running out of air and coming up for breath. Additionally, I would take swigs of water when my character was getting thirsty. A surprisingly embodied video game. 0. https://unknownworlds.com/subnautica/

[Spoiler Alert] Subnautica is amazing! I remember the first time I discovered the huge turtle whales - it was such a surreal feeling. The world design of the game does such a good job of offering a guided exploration that feels completely natural. The contours of Subnautica's world guide you into specific areas and every area has something new to offer - it truly feels like exploring another planet. Moreover, the sen…

[deleted]

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#72

Computers are like these magic devices to get us into potentially a fight or flight response with zero physical danger. People’s heart rates rise when they get an email from work. I can’t imagine its good for the health, mating these mental responses that are designed to go along with a physical response with just sedentary behavior instead. And doing it every day all your working life no less. What does this mean in…

When an email drops, do some squats; when you start to stray, pushups all the way.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#73
post #5

One of the things you quickly discover when you start meditating is how deeply your breath is connected to your mind and body. You can literally detect a thought forming before it does simply by sensing subtle changes in your breathing. You'll also notice how the most trivial thoughts also have a physical manifestation in your body, e.g., mild tension in your eyelids, or a tingling in your abdomen, etc.

How do I get started meditating? Any sources or books?

There are lots of meditation apps out there, but most monetize with a subscription plan before you can access any meaningful amounts of content.

Recently I found an app with a pretty large following called "Insight Timer" that has a spectacular free library. It has single-handedly helped me build a habit after only meditating once or twice in guided settings.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#74
post #6

Are there any reliable breathing monitors? Apple Watch/Oura ring have some respiratory metrics but only while sleeping (afaict). A quick google search showed me Oxa [0] but I have no clue if it's reliable, much less while sitting/working. [0] https://www.oxalife.com/ Edit: maybe a pulse ox ear clip would work. Bonus points if it could shock me into breathing again when it detects low values.

https://github.com/kieranabrennan/every-breath-you-take

Paired with the polar h10 strap is a good place to start.

I used it for a little while, and quickly found that I could only breathe properly and consistently whilst I was watching/aware of my breath. As soon as I started 'working' my breathing went back to terrible.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This kind of Biofeedback is also useful in monitoring one's meditation practice. Definitely would want recommendations on something like this.

I also want a wearable and app that can alert me when I'm not breathing deeply and rhythmically. And I'm not talking pulse oximeter here. I'm talking my chest expanding enough with each inhale.

Check my other comment above this.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> somewhat allergic to that kind of evangelism Meditation, or some sort of reflection, may reveal to you that wrapped up in "allergic to evangelism" is an illusion that you received the intended message in the intended way. Or rather, that your reaction isn't necessarily in line with the reality of the intent of what was said. And that your reactions may be limiting you in your growth. You may even figure out ways to…

IMHO, some people who meditate seem to put on an air of superiority about what they experience, as if they assume others don't have these experiences. Then they go on to blanket it with Oops! I forgot I don't do this! I am so mindful of myself! I am free of judgement!

You can say the same thing about a person that exercises and take care of their physical body. They always inject a sense of superiority when they talk about how much more energy they have etc. Well...what if they are indeed superior?

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#77

I've noticed myself doing this myself. I thought it was just because I also have sleep apnea, so what's causing me to stop breathing when I sleep is also happening when I'm waking and engaged on the computer. Didn't consider that it might be as widespread as the article is suggesting.

I was thinking about as well. I also have sleep apnea, and I have weird habits of holding my breath throughout the day for reasons I never fully understood. When I got the apnea diagnosis I assumed that that was just further manifestation.

I should probably work on my posture and try breathing exercises.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do I get started meditating? Any sources or books?

There are lots of meditation apps out there, but most monetize with a subscription plan before you can access any meaningful amounts of content. Recently I found an app with a pretty large following called "Insight Timer" that has a spectacular free library. It has single-handedly helped me build a habit after only meditating once or twice in guided settings.

Yeah but we're talking about < $10 for a month of content (on the one meditation app I checked).

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#79
post #8

Is it specific to screens tho? How does it compare to reading a book, writing a letter by hand, sewing, cutting vegetables for lunch, curiously disassenbling an alarm clock or any other activity that requires focus and concentration?

I don't think it's very specific to screens, but it is specific to situations where you've got incoming stressful content and especially a time deadline.

Which perfectly describes when you're trying to deal with all your e-mails before 10 am and a lot of the situations don't have easy resolutions, or you're trying to debug something that just won't work and you have no idea why and it's going to mess up the entire rest of your day if you don't get it fixed in the next 30 minutes.

So just a lot of our time-pressure stress situations happen via our screens now.

The situations you're describing seem very much the opposite of stressful.

Re: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, scroll

#80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are lots of meditation apps out there, but most monetize with a subscription plan before you can access any meaningful amounts of content. Recently I found an app with a pretty large following called "Insight Timer" that has a spectacular free library. It has single-handedly helped me build a habit after only meditating once or twice in guided settings.

Yeah but we're talking about < $10 for a month of content (on the one meditation app I checked).

The problem is not that one useful app demands The problem is that for some reason "everyone" down to creators of alarm clock apps think subscription is the right monetization model.

Many of us are tired.

Please note that I personally at least am not against usage based: tokens are fine with me.

It is the stress of having to remember to unsubscribe (or feeling like a fool when I realize an unused app has been siphoning off money from my account for months) that bugs me.

Post reply on HN