The emWave is actually the simplified and portable version of the Freeze-Framer, which has been used by over 700 healthcare professionals. Also developed by HeartMath, the Freeze-Framer is a software program designed to combat stress. It comes with a USB sensor to monitor your stress level.

How Does It Work? Turn the emWave on by holding down the red Sensor button. Connect the ear sensor to the device and attach the clip to your earlobe. The pulse indicator (on the left of the sensor button) will flash when it's reading your pulse. Then you will see rising and falling blue lights in the center strip. If you're holding the device upright with the pulse indicator on the bottom, the rising lights means to inhale; falling lights mean to exhale. (Don't worry if you can't keep up with the lights; the device will adapt to your breathing patterns.) The Coherence Level indicator will glow red, blue, or green to indicate your coherence level.

At any point of the session, you can view the percentage of time you have been in each coherence level. A short press on the top of the sensor will display for five seconds your Coherence Ratio. You can also use the included CD called the Coherence Coach to help you more with reaching high coherence levels.

Overall. I found my experience with the emWave to be satisfactory. When I was feeling stressed, or when I wanted to see if I was stressed, I'd use the emWave to prevent or alleviate my stress. I like how it regulates your breathing and shows your heart rate, allowing me to fully concentrate on positive thinking. There were times when I felt it was hard to breath so regularly, but that just goes to show that I need to pay attention more to my breathing to feel relaxed.
 

emWave Facts:

• 2.2 ounces
• About the size of a closed flip phone
• Brightness control
• Audio feedback
• Rechargable lithium battery
• Coherence Coach CD works on both Windows and Macs
• 15 years of research on relationship between stress and emotion