Moonbird Review: An unobtrusive, easy to use device that will work wonders for people with a mild to moderate fear of flying.
{Tech} for Travel
In this article:
Moonbird Review
Ahead of #CES2024, Stefanie Broes, co-founder and CEO of the Moonbird breathing coach, contacted me and invited me to try the device for myself at the event.
As someone who lost five years of his life through a mix of crippling anxiety, agoraphobia and panic attacks, all of which led to three dark years with a fear of even boarding an aircraft. Let alone flying!
Before this, I enjoyed flying for both business and leisure. Cognitive behaviour therapy helped me return to the skies, as it honed in on and emphasized the importance of my breathing.
Moonbird sets out to do the same without the expensive therapy and put you back in control.
Features // Moonbird Review
As the world’s first tactile breathing coach, Moonbird offers a unique, sensory-based method to promote relaxation. Its innovative design mimics the gentle rhythm of your breathing, expanding and contracting to guide users through slow, calming breathing exercises.
The palm-sized device is wrapped in satin-soft flexible silicone that allows the sides to expand and retract, evoking the sensation of a chest’s movements during focused breathing.
At the top is a curved tip where the thumb rests, and it houses a pulse sensor to capture your heart rhythm, heart coherence and heart rate variability.
Moonbird is suitable for both left- and right-handed users. Travellers can use It manually or via the free app (Android | Apple).
Simply picking the device up and giving it a gentle shake is enough to start the internal motor. The app is required for a more curated experience, bespoke exercises, and heart readings.
But for a fast, reassuring period of calmness and controlled breathing, just holding the device is enough.
User Experience // Moonbird Review
The key to this device’s success is the tactile feedback in the movement, and if, like me, you might be a bit heavy-handed, learning to hold or cup it gently is the first step to gaining the most benefit.
I went into the Moondbird review with high hopes based on my previous experiences with anxiety, and it exceeded all of them.
Many of us fail to put ourselves first when stressed, but finding time with a Moonbird regularly will pay huge dividends for nervous fliers when they are in the air.
Controlled Breathing
On my first few attempts for the Moonbird review, I was made aware of two worrying points.
Firstly, of how busy my mind was and how frustrating it was to “stop and concentrate”. Secondly, I found it difficult to relax enough to give Moonbird a chance.
Both are signs of being stressed, even though I wasn’t feeling it at the time.
After a few manual attempts, I could easily mimic the motion of Moonbird and control my breathing. I was now ready for some app-based exercises.
Moonbird App
When I opened the app for the first time, I was asked to sign up, agree to notifications, and answer a few simple questions about why I was using Moonbird.
To pair Moonbird with my iPhone, the device just needed to be ‘awake’ without a finger on the heart rate sensor, and the app established a Bluetooth connection.
Alongside plenty of hints and tips, the app includes four breathing exercises. Each is configurable by duration, audio guide, and interval checkups.
The results are stored under the stats section and build up over time to provide a view of your progression.
I found that the Balanced Breathing Exercise was the one I connected with the most and used most often.
Anyone who suffers from anxiety when flying could really benefit from using the Moonbird regularly on the ground before a flight. Getting into the pattern of shutting off your thoughts and focusing on the Moonbird to control your breathing really goes a long way in combating that ‘panic and fear’ feeling.
Power
There are no buttons or charging ports on the device. On the base at the rear is a small hard plastic area with two magnetic pins that clamp onto the provided charging cable. Moonbird fully charges from the flat in about 30 minutes, and the app is the only way to judge how much power remains.
I started the Moonbird review in mid-January, and four weeks later, I’d still not needed to charge it! So, under moderate daily use, a full charge will last at least a month.
Conclusion // Moonbird Review
My only issues with the Moonbird were very minor ones.
I think the cream/White model will likely attract dirt faster than the others, so you’ll likely want to give some thought to which of the four colour options you choose.
The charging cable is bespoke. I’d much rather have a USB-C port and not have to worry about travelling with a special cable for only one use. That said, the battery performance is exceptional.
Hopefully, the app will soon be updated with additional exercises and information. While I feel it justifies the retail price, the app has room for improvement.
The Moonbird is simple to use yet effective in delivering its promises. As many of us face more stress and pressure in life, having a Moonbird to hand is no bad thing!
It might not be the most exciting or most desirable of products to own, but you will not regret the investment, and the app tracks you on a daily, weekly,y and monthly level to demonstrate your improvement.
In a world of gadgets that tell our health statistics are, the Moonbird genuinely helps to improve them.
Specifications // Moonbird Review
| Dimensions | 120 x 52 x 43mm |
| Weight | 103g |
| Colour Options | Green Pale Blue Cream White Black |
| Features | Breathing Coach Tailored exercises Heart rate sensor Long battery life |
| App | Yes |
| In the Box | Moonbird Charging cable Travel pouch Manuals |
| Website | moonbird.life |
Price // Moonbird Review
The Moonbird Breathing Coach is priced at $199/£159 at moonbird.life or your local Amazon store.
