BreathingRoom: A New Era for Workplace Wellness & Mental Health

Work can drain us. Deadlines stack up. Meanwhile, messages never stop. As a result, many people end the day feeling empty. So here is a simple question. When did you last have real space to breathe at work? That question sits at the heart of BreathingRoom.

At first, it began as a small mental health program in Canada. However, its core idea now addresses a much larger issue. Workers everywhere need room to pause, reset, and feel human again.

In this story, you will learn where BreathingRoom came from and how it works. Next, you will see what the latest data says about stress at work. Finally, you will receive detailed instructions on how to create more breathing room for your team. Let’s dive in.

What Is a Breathing Room? The Startup Story Behind the Name

BreathingRoom is an online mental health program built to help people manage stress, anxiety, and low mood. Specifically, the Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine (CINIM) created it. In short, CINIM is a research institute and registered charity based in Calgary.

However, BreathingRoom did not start as a slick app. Instead, it started as a research project led by two psychiatrists, Dr. Badri Rickhi and Dr. John Toews. Both had deep roots at the University of Calgary.

Moreover, the team worked with Mount Royal University, the University of Calgary, and Alberta Health Services. As a result, that mix of clinics and campuses gave the project a strong base in science.

From the LEAP Project to BreathingRoom

At first, the program had a different name: the LEAP Project. Back then, it was an eight-week online course for young people aged 13 to 24. Above all, the goal was to help those living with mild to moderate depression.

Next, the team did something many wellness startups skip. They tested it. To do so, they ran a randomized pilot trial in Calgary. In that trial, some people got the program right away. Meanwhile, others waited eight weeks. In the end, the results suggested the course helped lower depression levels.

After the trial, the founders renamed the project BreathingRoom. Then, in 2014, it won the True Imagination Award from Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor’s Circle on Mental Health and Addictions. Soon after, an app version followed for phones and tablets.

A Quick Note on Other “BreathingRoom” Brands

If you search the name, you may find other results too. For instance, an Indian startup called BreathingRoom launched in 2014. Kaushal Sanghvi, a former Amazon employee, and Jacky Chow founded it. Back then, that app let people book quiet workspaces by the hour.

Interestingly, both ideas share one belief. People need quiet, private space to do their best work. After all, one gave people a physical room. The other gave them a mental one.

Our take: This shared name is not just a coincidence. Instead, it points to a real gap in modern work. Space to think has become rare, and people will pay for it in many forms.

Also Read: Transform Your Life with Simple Daily Meditation Techniques

Why Workplace Mental Health Needs a New Era

First, let’s look at the numbers. Frankly, they are difficult to ignore.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression and anxiety result in the loss of approximately 12 billion working days each year. Additionally, the world incurs nearly US$1 trillion in output losses due to this issue. In 2019, WHO estimated that around 15% of working-age adults had a mental disorder.

Still, the problem is not only about illness. It also pertains to people’s daily emotional experiences. Gallup’s latest global workplace research indicates that only 20% of employees were engaged at work in 2025.

In fact, that is the lowest level since 2020. Even worse, manager engagement fell sharply, from 27% to 22% in a single year. As a result, Gallup puts the cost of low engagement at more than $10 trillion in lost output.

Stress also shows up every single day. In Gallup’s 2025 report, about 4 in 10 workers said they felt a lot of stress the day before. Similarly, many reported daily sadness and loneliness.

Why Old Wellness Programs Fall Short

For years, companies answered the issue with perks. They offered gym deals, fruit bowls, and the odd yoga class. Of course, those perks are appealing. However, they rarely touch the real causes of employee burnout.

Notably, WHO identifies heavy workloads, low job control, and poor treatment as key risks. For the first time, it also advised training managers to spot distress and prevent it. Yet only about one in three countries has a national plan for mental health at work.

What Workers Now Expect

Meanwhile, workers are setting higher expectations. An American Psychological Association survey found that 81% of workers plan to seek employers who support mental health. In other words, workplace wellness is no longer a bonus. Instead, it is a reason people join or leave.

Here is the unique angle: the falling numbers among managers matter most. After all, managers shape about 70% of how engaged a team feels. So, when managers run out of breathing room, their teams lose it too. Any new era of mental health support at work has to start with the people in the middle.

How BreathingRoom Works: A Model Built on Evidence

So what does BreathingRoom actually offer? Put simply, it is a guided program that you move through at your own pace.

Eight Modules, One Steady Path

The full program has eight modules. Typically, each one takes about two to three hours. Inside, users find short videos, true stories, guided meditations, music, and hands-on activities. There are even book and film ideas to explore.

Rather than focusing only on symptoms, the program explores big life themes. For example, these include forgiveness, compassion, gratitude, and self-acceptance. As a result, it feels less like a clinic and more like a personal journey.

What the Research Found

The founders did not just hope it worked. Instead, they studied it. In one follow-up study, researchers interviewed trial users about their experience. Many described more energy and stronger motivation. At the same time, they felt less fear, anger, and frustration.

Interestingly, some users said the skills spilled into other parts of life. For example, they used them in school, in friendships, and at home. That kind of carry-over is precisely what a workplace program should aim for.

Real-World Uptake

In 2017, Mount Royal University made the app free for students, thanks to a donor. Within a short time, about 1,200 students had used it. In fact, it even became part of the coursework in two classes.

Why This Program Matters for Workplaces

Here is the insight most articles miss. Look at what users reported: more energy, more drive, and less frustration. Now compare that with what managers call engagement. Clearly, they are nearly the same list.

In other words, a well-built digital mental health program does not only help people feel better. It may also help them show up better at work. However, BreathingRoom was designed for youth and students, not as a corporate product.

So the lesson is about the model, not a ready-made tool. Specifically, this model prioritizes evidence, allows for self-paced learning, and focuses on meaning rather than just mood.

Also Read: Living a Peaceful Life: The Complete Guide to Gaining Inner Peace and Joy In your Everyday

From Perks to Breathing Room: What Really Works at Work

Now for an honest twist. Not every wellness tool works at work.

In 2024, Oxford researcher Dr. William Fleming studied 46,336 workers across 233 UK organizations. To do so, he compared people who used workplace wellness programs with those who did not. Mindfulness classes, resilience training, and wellness apps showed no clear benefit for users. The only positive aspect was volunteering.

Therefore, does that mean programs like BreathingRoom are useless? Not at all. Instead, it means apps cannot resolve a broken job on their own. As Fleming argued, companies must change the workplace, not just the worker.

The Two-Layer Approach

Think of workplace mental health in two layers:

• Layer one—the job itself: This layer covers workload, schedules, fair pay, and competent managers.
• Layer two – personal tools: This layer covers programs, apps, coaching, and quiet spaces.

In practice, layer two only works when layer one is healthy. Otherwise, you are asking people to meditate their way out of a 60-hour week.

Real Examples of Workplace Breathing Room

Fortunately, some employers are building both layers. For example, Marin County in California runs a staff program called Breathing Room. Each quarter, it offers short 10- to 25-minute sessions.

For instance, these include desk stretches, guided meditation, and breathing exercises. Staff can join online or in a live room at the Civic Center.

Likewise, in 2025, PwC’s Glasgow office unveiled a “Breathing Space” bench on its rooftop terrace. The overall aim was simple: to invite staff to pause and talk openly about mental health.

Our unique view: The best workplace wellness does not add more tasks. Instead, it removes friction. After all, a truly protected 10-minute break beats a premium app nobody has time to open. Ultimately, breathing room is a design choice, not a perk.

“We’ve seen teams become more collaborative simply because they feel supported as individuals,” says a corporate HR manager who partnered with BreathingRoom.

How to Create BreathingRoom-Style Support in Your Workplace

Ready to act? Here are practical steps for both leaders and team members. Keep them simple and build over time.

Steps for Employers and Managers

1. Start by listening. First, run a short, anonymous survey. Ask what drains people most. Then resolve one top issue within 30 days.
2. Train your managers. Next, teach managers to notice stress and respond with care. WHO now recommends this step directly.
3. Protect real pause time. For example, block a team-wide “no meeting” hour each week. Treat it like any other key meeting.
4. Offer evidence-based tools. Choose programs with real research behind them, just as the BreathingRoom team tested its program before launch.
5. Create a quiet space. Even a small room with soft light and no calls can help. Mark it clearly as a no-call zone.
6. Measure and adjust. Finally, check in every quarter. Keep what works and drop what does not.

Steps for Employees

1. Take micro-breaks. Every 90 minutes, step away for five minutes. Breathe slowly and stretch.
2. Name your stress. Write down what is weighing on you. Often, naming it makes it feel smaller.
3. Set clear limits. For instance, turn off work alerts after a set hour.
4. Use the support you have. Verify your benefits for counselling and wellness programs.
5. Speak up early. Talk to your manager before stress turns into burnout.

A Simple Weekly Breathing Room Plan

Day	Small Action	Time Needed
Monday	Plan your week and flag overload.	10 minutes
Wednesday	Take a screen-free walk.	15 minutes
Friday	Write three wins from the week.	5 minutes

Pro tip: Start with one small habit, not five. Over time, small wins build trust. Trust, in turn, fosters a more positive workplace culture.

Conclusion

The story of BreathingRoom is about more than one app. It began with two psychiatrists in Calgary who wanted to help young people with depression. First, they built a program. Then they tested it and showed it could help. Along the way, they showed that effective mental health tools start with evidence.

Today, that lesson is more relevant than ever. After all, depression and anxiety still cost billions of workdays each year. Meanwhile, engagement continues to fall, and managers feel the strain most. Clearly, the old model of perks and fruit bowls is not enough.

At the same time, research from Oxford reminds us of something vital. In short, apps alone cannot remedy a broken job. Real change needs two layers: a healthy job first, then supportive personal tools. Combining both elements creates genuine breathing space for individuals.

So, what can you do today? If you lead a team, start by listening and protecting real pause time. As an employee, you can take small breaks and speak up early. Either way, begin with one small step this week.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is BreathingRoom, and who created this mental health program?

BreathingRoom is an online mental health program from the Canadian Institute of Natural and Integrative Medicine in Calgary. Psychiatrists Dr. Badri Rickhi and Dr. John Toews led its development to help people manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

2. Is the BreathingRoom program really backed by solid clinical research?

Yes. It began as the LEAP Project, and researchers then tested it in a randomized pilot trial in Calgary. Results suggested the eight-week online program helped young people lower depression and feel more energy and motivation.

3. How can a wellness program for the workplace help reduce employee burnout?

A workplace wellness program reduces burnout best when it fixes root causes first. Above all, that means fair workloads and trained managers. Thereafter, tools like guided breathing, quiet rooms, and counseling add real extra support.

4. Do mindfulness apps really improve employee mental health at work?

On their own, wellness apps often do not provide significant benefits. A 2024 Oxford study of over 46,000 UK workers found little benefit from wellness apps alone. However, they can help when paired with better working conditions and supportive managers.

5. What simple steps can managers take to support team mental health?

Managers can listen through anonymous surveys, protect meeting-free time, and learn to spot stress early. They can also share evidence-based mental health resources and check in with team members regularly.