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Guided Breathing Redesign
Neuroflow
Guided Breathing Redesign
Neuroflow
Guided Breathing Redesign
Neuroflow
Overview
Overview
Overview
Guided Breathing is one of the self-guided activities in Onward (by NeuroFlow) app. It feeds the engagement and outcomes data NeuroFlow reports back to providers and health systems, so this redesign was focused on making users want to come back to it.
I redesigned Guided Breathing to help users start sessions faster, while making it more visually engaging and easier to understand. I worked closely with clinical and engineering teams to validate and approve every change.
Guided Breathing is one of the self-guided activities in Onward (by NeuroFlow) app. It feeds the engagement and outcomes data NeuroFlow reports back to providers and health systems, so this redesign was focused on making users want to come back to it.
I redesigned Guided Breathing to help users start sessions faster, while making it more visually engaging and easier to understand. I worked closely with clinical and engineering teams to validate and approve every change.
Guided Breathing is one of the self-guided activities in Onward (by NeuroFlow) app. It feeds the engagement and outcomes data NeuroFlow reports back to providers and health systems, so this redesign was focused on making users want to come back to it.
I redesigned Guided Breathing to help users start sessions faster, while making it more visually engaging and easier to understand. I worked closely with clinical and engineering teams to validate and approve every change.
in overall engagement with the feature
in overall engagement with the feature
overall engagement with the feature
in 7-day return rate
in 7-day return rate
in 7-day return rate
average across entire redesign
average across entire redesign
average across entire redesign
to find the right breathing exercise
to find the right breathing exercise
to find the right breathing exercise
What is NeuroFlow?
What is NeuroFlow?
What is NeuroFlow?
NeuroFlow is a B2B2C + SaaS company that builds behavioral health tools for health systems, payors, and the federal government to manage mental health risk at scale. Providers and insurers pay for the platform, then give patients access to Onward, the consumer app.
Since Onward isn't chasing downloads and it's handed to someone by their doctor or health plan as part of a treatment plan, it has to earn trust fast and feel clinically credible from the very first screen.
NeuroFlow is a B2B2C + SaaS company that builds behavioral health tools for health systems, payors, and the federal government to manage mental health risk at scale. Providers and insurers pay for the platform, then give patients access to Onward, the consumer app.
Since Onward isn't chasing downloads and it's handed to someone by their doctor or health plan as part of a treatment plan, it has to earn trust fast and feel clinically credible from the very first screen.
NeuroFlow is a B2B2C + SaaS company that builds behavioral health tools for health systems, payors, and the federal government to manage mental health risk at scale. Providers and insurers pay for the platform, then give patients access to Onward, the consumer app.
Since Onward isn't chasing downloads and it's handed to someone by their doctor or health plan as part of a treatment plan, it has to earn trust fast and feel clinically credible from the very first screen.
What's the problem?
What's the problem?
What's the problem?
Guided breathing is Onward's 4th most used feature, but engagement was dropping quickly
Guided breathing is Onward's 4th most used feature, but engagement was dropping quickly
Guided breathing is Onward's 4th most used feature, but engagement was dropping quickly
example
example
example
Within 2 months, there were 12,524 sessions but only 2,094 unique users
Within 2 months, there were 12,524 sessions but only 2,094 unique users
Within 2 months, there were 12,524 sessions but only 2,094 unique users
How do I improve Onward's guided breathing feature so that engagement and clinical impact increases?
How do I improve Onward's guided breathing feature so that engagement and clinical impact increases?
How do I improve Onward's guided breathing feature so that engagement and clinical impact increases?
The Market
The Market
The Market
Before jumping into solutions, I looked at two competitors to understand what was working in the current market
Before jumping into solutions, I looked at two competitors to understand what was working in the current market
Before jumping into solutions, I looked at two competitors to understand what was working in the current market
Headspace
sessions categorized by feelings + outcomes
visuals are soft & friendly vectors
minimal text + short-text based instructions
motion of animations changes based on each individual breathing phase
Lungy
mood /goal related filters + tagged exercise cards
visuals are nature-related 3D objects
instructions are both visual + short text-based
motion of animations change based on the user's breath via microphone input
Headspace
sessions categorized by feelings + outcomes
visuals are soft & friendly vectors
minimal text + short-text based instructions
motion of animations changes based on each individual breathing phase
Lungy
mood /goal related filters + tagged exercise cards
visuals are nature-related 3D objects
instructions are both visual + short text-based
motion of animations change based on the user's breath via microphone input
From Headspace and Lungy, I learned that users prioritize feeling better, fast
From Headspace and Lungy, I learned that users prioritize feeling better, fast
Wireframes
Wireframes
Wireframes
Many wireframes were created to explore multiple design directions.
Many wireframes were created to explore multiple design directions.
Many wireframes were created to explore multiple design directions.
After collaborative discussions and design critiques with the team, we chose the concept that best addressed our users' needs while meeting the project's objectives.
After collaborative discussions and design critiques with the team, we chose the concept that best addressed our users' needs while meeting the project's objectives.
After collaborative discussions and design critiques with the team, we chose the concept that best addressed our users' needs while meeting the project's objectives.
The Solution
Categorization that helps users find the right session
Refined Session Names
Improved Quick Start
Added
Tags & Filtering
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
Users can choose based on how they are feeling in the moment
Refined Session Names
Improved Quick Start
Added
Tags & Filtering
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
Users can choose based on how they are feeling in the moment
The Solution
Categorization that helps users find the right session
Refined Session Names
Improved Quick Start
Added
Tags & Filtering
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
Users can choose based on how they are feeling in the moment
Refined Session Names
Improved Quick Start
Added
Tags & Filtering
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
Users can choose based on how they are feeling in the moment
before
Quick Start buried in hero image
Session names don't communicate outcomes
No filtering forces users to scroll through excercises
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Sleep
Focus
Calm
after
Quick Start promoted to primary action
Session names rewritten around user outcomes
Goal-based filters reduce time to selection
before
Quick Start buried in hero image
Session names don't communicate outcomes
No filtering forces users to scroll through excercises
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Sleep
Focus
Calm
after
Quick Start promoted to primary action
Session names rewritten around user outcomes
Goal-based filters reduce time to selection
Quick Start buried in hero image
Session names don't communicate outcomes
No filtering forces users to scroll
before
Quick Start promoted to primary action
Session names rewritten around user outcomes
Goal-based filters reduce time to selection
after
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Scannable text to make information easy to process
Scannable text to make information easy to process
Send virtual hugs to brighten someone’s day.
It’s quick, fun, and heartwarming!
Unwind
Sleep
Calm
This technique uses a calming rhythm with a breath hold and long exhale to help you relax. It's helpful when your mind is racing at bedtime or you need to let go of tension from the day. The long exhale tells your body it's safe to relax, making it easier to fall asleep.
Session Length
1 min
3 min
5 min
∞
Vibrations
Breathing Technique
Inhale
4 sec
Inhale hold
7 sec
Exhale
8 sec
Exhale hold
0 sec
Start
Unwind
Sleep
Calm
This technique uses a calming rhythm with a breath hold and long exhale to help you relax. It's helpful when your mind is racing at bedtime or you need to let go of tension from the day. The long exhale tells your body it's safe to relax, making it easier to fall asleep.
Session Length
1 min
3 min
5 min
∞
Vibrations
Breathing Technique
Inhale
4 sec
Inhale hold
7 sec
Exhale
8 sec
Exhale hold
0 sec
Start
Simplified Instructions
Concise Card Copy
Reframed Descriptions
Numbered steps instead of one dense paragraph for clarity
Users immediately understand the purpose
Log it, tweak your plan, or ask AI for smarter alternatives all in one tap.
Users grasp the purpose at a glance
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
Users can choose based on how they are feeling in the moment
Categorization that helps users find the right session
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
Users can choose based on how they are feeling in the moment
before
Clinical wording is difficult to process
Unnecessary details with little benefit
Paragraphs prevent quick scanning
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Guided Breathing
Choose a session below
Guided breathing practices aim to positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical state.
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Unwind
Relax deeply and fall asleep
Sleep
Calm
Deep Calm
Achieve deep relaxation
Sleep
Calm
Steady Focus
Stay grounded under pressure
Focus
Find Balance
Create clarity and steady balance
Focus
Calm
Gentle Ease
Release stress and naturally relax
Calm
Start
Quick Start
Not sure what to pick? Try our featured breathing session.
after
Simpler descriptions for clearer meaning
Descriptions with details that matter
Numbered steps users can follow fast
before
Clinical wording is difficult to process
Unnecessary details with little benefit
Paragraphs prevent quick scanning
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Guided Breathing
Choose a session below
Guided breathing practices aim to positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical state.
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Unwind
Relax deeply and fall asleep
Sleep
Calm
Deep Calm
Achieve deep relaxation
Sleep
Calm
Steady Focus
Stay grounded under pressure
Focus
Find Balance
Create clarity and steady balance
Focus
Calm
Gentle Ease
Release stress and naturally relax
Calm
Start
Quick Start
Not sure what to pick? Try our featured breathing session.
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Guided Breathing
Choose a session below
Guided breathing practices aim to positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical state.
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Unwind
Relax deeply and fall asleep
Sleep
Calm
Deep Calm
Achieve deep relaxation
Sleep
Calm
Steady Focus
Stay grounded under pressure
Focus
Find Balance
Create clarity and steady balance
Focus
Calm
Gentle Ease
Release stress and naturally relax
Calm
Start
Quick Start
Not sure what to pick? Try our featured breathing session.
after
Simpler descriptions for clearer meaning
Descriptions with details that matter
Numbered steps users can follow fast
Clinical wording is difficult to process
Unnecessary details with little benefit
Paragraphs prevent quick scanning
before
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Guided Breathing
Choose a session below
Guided breathing practices aim to positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical state.
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Unwind
Relax deeply and fall asleep
Sleep
Calm
Deep Calm
Achieve deep relaxation
Sleep
Calm
Steady Focus
Stay grounded under pressure
Focus
Find Balance
Create clarity and steady balance
Focus
Calm
Gentle Ease
Release stress and naturally relax
Calm
Start
Quick Start
Not sure what to pick? Try our featured breathing session.
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Guided Breathing
Choose a session below
Guided breathing practices aim to positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical state.
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Unwind
Relax deeply and fall asleep
Sleep
Calm
Deep Calm
Achieve deep relaxation
Sleep
Calm
Steady Focus
Stay grounded under pressure
Focus
Find Balance
Create clarity and steady balance
Focus
Calm
Gentle Ease
Release stress and naturally relax
Calm
Start
Quick Start
Not sure what to pick? Try our featured breathing session.
Simpler descriptions for clearer meaning
Descriptions with details that matter
Numbered steps users can follow fast
after
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Guided Breathing
Choose a session below
Guided breathing practices aim to positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical state.
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Unwind
Relax deeply and fall asleep
Sleep
Calm
Deep Calm
Achieve deep relaxation
Sleep
Calm
Steady Focus
Stay grounded under pressure
Focus
Find Balance
Create clarity and steady balance
Focus
Calm
Gentle Ease
Release stress and naturally relax
Calm
Start
Quick Start
Not sure what to pick? Try our featured breathing session.
Guided Breathing
breathing methods
Balance
Return to balance and regulate stress.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Calm
Naturally reduce your stress hormones.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Focus
Heighten performance and concentration.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Control
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Center
Naturally slow your heart rate to help gain control.
Technique: 4 · 7 · 8
Guided Breathing
Choose a session below
Guided breathing practices aim to positively impact your mental, emotional, and physical state.
Sleep
Focus
Calm
Unwind
Relax deeply and fall asleep
Sleep
Calm
Deep Calm
Achieve deep relaxation
Sleep
Calm
Steady Focus
Stay grounded under pressure
Focus
Find Balance
Create clarity and steady balance
Focus
Calm
Gentle Ease
Release stress and naturally relax
Calm
Start
Quick Start
Not sure what to pick? Try our featured breathing session.
Animations designed to drive engagement and retention
Simplified Instructions
Designed
Unique Scenes
Interactive Phase Cycles
Numbered steps instead of one dense paragraph for clarity
Users immediately understand the purpose
Animations respond to each phase of the breathing cycle — inhale, hold, and exhale
Animations designed to promote calmness & increase engagement
Entry
Completed 00/00/00
Gentle Ease
0:04
4s
Inhale
Animations respond to each phase of the breathing cycle — inhale, hold, and exhale
For anyone who is unsure or who needs immediate help
Users can choose based on how they are feeling in the moment
before
Clinical and repetitive visuals reduce engagement
Identical animations across all breathing exercises
Entry
Completed 00/00/00
4s
Inhale
0:04
Unwind
after
Diverse nature scenes keep exercises engaging
Phase-specific animations guide breathing cycles
before
Clinical and repetitive visuals reduce engagement
Identical animations across all breathing exercises
Entry
Completed 00/00/00
4s
Inhale
0:04
Unwind
after
Diverse nature scenes keep exercises engaging
Phase-specific animations guide breathing cycles
Clinical and repetitive visuals reduce engagement
Identical animations across all breathing exercises
before
Entry
Completed 00/00/00
4s
Inhale
0:04
Unwind
Diverse nature scenes keep exercises engaging
Phase-specific animations guide breathing cycles
after
Entry
Completed 00/00/00
4s
Inhale
0:04
Unwind
Example Flow
Example Flow
Example Flow
This is a sample walk-through of all the features referred to above
This is a sample walk-through of all the features referred to above
This is a sample walk-through of all the features referred to above
Results
Results
Results
The redesign has launched in app & on web!
The redesign has launched in app & on web!
The redesign has launched in app & on web!
in overall engagement with the feature
in overall engagement with the feature
in 7-day return rate
in 7-day return rate
average across entire redesign
average across entire redesign
to find the right breathing exercise
to find the right breathing exercise
in overall engagement with the feature
in 7-day return rate
average across entire redesign
to find the right breathing exercise
Reflection
Reflection
Reflection
The data made it clear that Onwards guided breathing feature wasn't reaching the engagement or clinical impact that was expected.
My goal was to make the experience clear, intuitive, and engaging, so that users who needed help in the moment experienced no friction, and once they finished with the session, they wanted to come back for more.
Throughout every decision, I came back to one question…does this help the user breathe, or does it get in the way?
The data made it clear that Onwards guided breathing feature wasn't reaching the engagement or clinical impact that was expected.
My goal was to make the experience clear, intuitive, and engaging, so that users who needed help in the moment experienced no friction, and once they finished with the session, they wanted to come back for more.
Throughout every decision, I came back to one question…
does this help the user breathe, or does it get in the way?
The data made it clear that Onwards guided breathing feature wasn't reaching the engagement or clinical impact that was expected.
My goal was to make the experience clear, intuitive, and engaging, so that users who needed help in the moment experienced no friction, and once they finished with the session, they wanted to come back for more.
Throughout every decision, I came back to one question…does this help the user breathe, or does it get in the way?