Breath Awareness Test

About the Test

The test is very simple: paying attention to your normal breathing just once. But it can provide valuable insights into mental functions and wellbeing.

The test result is either positive or negative. The result is positive if you paid attention to your breathing for a full cycle. Otherwise, the result is negative. (If you do not clearly remember whether you paid attention to your breathing for a full cycle, the result is also negative.)

How to Test

Steps:

  1. Breathe normally and continue to do so.
  2. Just pay attention to your breathing at all times for one full cycle.
  3. Record the result.

Understanding the Result

Here are some possible interpretation of the result.

  • Positive result means: It indicates that the mental functions involved in the test are working well. It is a sign of positive mental wellbeing.

  • Negative result means: It indicates one or more of mental functions such as attention, cognition, volition, self-regulation and self-awareness did not work well during the test. But a few negative results do not indicate impairment or negative mental wellbeing but frequent or consistent negative results do.

  • For Better Results: Test at least twice a day for one week. Record and count all test results. You can use the Breath Awareness Test form to record. (If you want to gain a deeper sight, test with multiple cycles of breathing instead of just a single cycle.)

  • Limitations: This test is neither a comprehensive nor a definitive assessment of mental functions or mental health.

How It Works

Paying attention to breathing reveals valuable insights into mental functions because it requires integration of various mental functions such as attention, cognition, volition, self-regulation, self-awareness and short-term memory. Paying attention to breathing is pleasant and easy if the mental functions are working well, otherwise it can be challenging. Paying attention to breathing does not only provides insights but also cultivates greater attention, cognition, volition, self-regulation, self-awareness and wellbeing.

Why Matter

Dysfunction of attention, cognition, volition, self-regulation or self-awareness causes attention difficulty, anxiety, depression, stress, impulsivity, addiction, sleep difficulty and/or lack of empathy, resulting in various health and life problems that significantly impact individuals and ultimately society.

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