Ever heard of a breathing cushion? Chances are, you haven’t – but if you struggle with exam anxiety it may be something you need to know about.
University of Bristol scientists have created a unique ‘breathing cushion’ that could actually be super beneficial for students, especially right before those nerve-wracking exams. The cushion has only been tested on 129 people so far but it sure does look hopeful.
What Is A Breathing Cushion?
A breathing cushion is essentially an inflatable cushion that simulates the motion of breathing. When we get anxious our breathing can increase in pace but by hugging this cushion, theoretically, our breathing should be guided back to a normal, slower pace. The cushion itself looks a little weird but if it works, it works.
The 36 centimeter (14 inch) cushion with an inflatable pocket connecting to an external pump and motor, was designed to encourage slow, deep diaphragmatic breathing through its shape and rate of movement.
It was designed especially for those who may be suffering from exam anxiety with this being something that the trial focused on. Of course, this could completely change the way that students approach exams.
“We were excited to find that holding the breathing cushion, without any guidance, produced a similar effect on anxiety in students as a meditation practice,” engineer Alice Haynes from the University of Bristol and colleagues say in a statement.
Does It Actually Work?
In theory, everything about this cushion seems to work well. For those who struggle with anxiety and who cannot seem to get on well with traditional breathing techniques, then this may be a wonderful alternative.
Out of those tested, one group was given the cushion, one was given medication and one group made do without anything at all to ease their anxiety. All of the participants were then made to answer questionnaires, also being told to undertake a stressful maths exam – eek!
According to the test results those who were given the cushion experienced a similar relieving of anxiety to those who were given medication. If this cushion was to be used on a wider scale it really help those with anxiety ease their symptoms.
Other cushions were also trialled including ones that included heartbeat and purring sounds, however the breathing cushion was found to be the most effective.
Time will tell whether the new cushion proves to be a hit but it sounds like a positive invention that could really benefit the most anxious of students, especially around exam time.