Hi, thank you for taking the time to read my first log about building Pulmo, a breathwork app designed to help manage stress, anxiety, and lung conditions.
In this initial post, I will share the inspiration behind the app, introduce the team, and set the stage for documenting our progress as we bring this vision to life. Get ready to follow along!
Medical Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or medical professional. The information provided in these logs about breathwork and lung conditions is based on my own research and experiences. It should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns or before starting a new health regimen.
Hi, I am Abhishek from Uttarakhand, India. By profession, I am a marketer, working in a health and wellness startup space for the past few years.
The best part about working in the health & wellness space is the profound impact we can have on improving people's lives, which provides me with a strong sense of purpose and motivation.
Why am I sharing this with you?
Because my experience in the health tech field inspired me to work on this side project - a breathwork app called Pulmo. Named after the Latin word for "lung".
Pulmo is designed to help people improve sleep, manage stress and anxiety, and cope with lung conditions like COPD.
Why am I building this app?
Breathing is an essential part of life, governed by our autonomic nervous system, yet many of us are unaware of the profound effects of proper breathwork.
Here are some of the health benefits of breathing exercise:
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Improves Lung Function and Capacity
Lowers Blood Pressure
Enhances Mental Clarity and Focus
Boosts Immune System
There are incredible things breathing exercises can do to your body; I will explain more about the science behind it in my next update.
Do I practice Breathwork?
Although I haven't always practised breathwork consistently, it has played a significant role in various stages of my life. I remember my football coach emphasizing on breathing exercises to enhance our athletic performance.
In my professional life too, whenever things get super stressful and overwhelming, I've turned to breathwork to find my calm and center myself. It's been a lifesaver during those crunch periods and now I am making breathwork a part of my daily life
The rise in chronic respiratory disease
Breathing problems are more than just feeling out of breath; they can significantly impact our health and daily lives. Globally, 200 million people are affected by COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). This condition makes breathing hard, leading to fatigue, limited physical activity, and increased risk of respiratory infections.
A few months ago, I came across an article about COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and learned that while COPD cannot be reversed, certain measures like quitting smoking, managing allergies, and following an exercise program can slow its progression.
Pulmonary rehabilitation, which includes breathing exercises, is a key component of managing COPD.
Image credits: Healthline
Moreover, anxiety adds another layer of complexity. When we're stressed or anxious, our breathing can become shallow and irregular, making it even harder to relax and function normally. This cycle of anxiety and breathlessness can feel overwhelming and affect our overall well-being.
Image credits: copd foundation
This was a turning point for me. I realized that breathwork could significantly help manage COPD and other conditions like anxiety and asthma.
The more I researched this, the more potential I saw in building an app that guides people through breathwork customized for their specific condition - Sleep apnea, stress, anxiety, asthma or COPD.
The Vision for the Pulmo App
These insights led me to the idea of creating an app that helps people manage stress, anxiety and COPD through guided breathwork. But turning this idea into reality was the next challenge.
To build the app, I needed an app developer and UX/UI designer and a Doctor who could guide and give mentorship.
I feel fortunate to have two incredible friends - Suman, a fantastic app developer, and Garvit, an incredibly talented UX/UI designer. When I shared my idea with them, they were just as excited as I was. I am lucky to have both of them on this project and building this app together. Without them, this project would not have been possible.
I also reached out to a doctor friend, who gave me very good insights into the effects of respiration on the human body and offered to mentor me whenever I needed medical input. We started working on Pulmo in May 2024 during nights and weekends. We're self-funding the entire project and have decided to build it publicly, documenting all our wins, struggles, and learnings along the way.
Current Status and Next Steps
We're currently working on the app's wireframe, and I'll keep you updated on our progress. Stay tuned for more updates on our journey to create Pulmo App, designed to help millions breathe better and live healthier lives.
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
You can sign up for the waitlist here - Join the waitlist
Best, Abhishek
PS: I believe this is a very simple yet powerful app. Whether this app succeeds or not, what truly matters is the invaluable learning experience it provides for both you and us. It's going to be an awesome journey 💚