Content Contributed by Fitbit
Breathing. You do it without thinking, but when you actually sit down to think about it, that easy, automatic activity is pretty incredible. With each inhale you’re bringing in fresh oxygen, and with each exhale you’re ridding your body of carbon dioxide, allowing every cell in your body to function and thrive. But the positive effects of breathing go beyond biology.
When a bit more mindfulness is added to that simple in-and-out, deep breathing has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress and lessen anxiety. In fact, one study found a short period of deep breathing can reduce systolic blood pressure by 3.4 to mmHg within minutes — which means your breath can be a powerful calm-down tool. But not just any breathing will do. Those inhales and exhales need to be deep, slow and even.
The potential benefits of intentional and deep breath are more pronounced for older adults. As we age, the muscles that support breathing become weaker, thus preventing the body from getting enough oxygen with each breath. Deep breathing can help strengthen those muscles and help you get more oxygen with each breath.
To help you get your breath in rhythm, Fitbit® offers an on-device guided breathing experience called Relax. Available with Fitbit Versa™, Relax helps you find moments of calm with a personalized guided breathing session based on your heart rate.
A free Fitbit Versa is available as part of the new UnitedHealthcare® Sync (PPO) Medicare Advantage plan. Sync is a personalized health plan that provides you the tools to help you stay healthy and active.
Each Relax session is powered by PurePulse and personalized by using your real-time heart rate to measure your beat-to-beat changes, and determine a comfortable breathing rate for you.
You can choose from two-minute or five-minute sessions that display bio feedback and animations and use vibrations to help you align each inhale and exhale with the guide — so you can get the most out of your breathing experience. And at the end of each session, you’ll get feedback on how well you followed the guide.
Doing guided breathing sessions regularly can bring more mindfulness to your busy life. And the result could be a healthier, calmer, more focused you — all from just a few minutes of inhales and exhales each day.
If you want to learn more about UnitedHealthcare Sync, please click here for more information. Need to find Medicare plans in your area? View plans and pricing here.
Your use of any Fitbit device or service is voluntary. If you have a medical or heart condition, you should consult your doctor before using the Fitbit Service, engaging in an exercise program, or changing your diet. Fitbit and the Fitbit logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Fitbit, Inc. in the US and other countries. Additional Fitbit trademarks can be found at www.fitbit.com/legal/trademark-list.
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.
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