Winter used to be a very difficult time for my breathing. Even after switching from mouth to nose breathing, there was still room for improvement – especially when air quality worsened. From October to March, my sinuses always felt constricted, and I had to practice my breathing exercises like crazy just to maintain minimal airflow through my nose.
This winter, however, I had another breakthrough with my breathing.
At a sleep health conference, I stumbled upon the Finnish company WellO2. I was immediately intrigued by their product—a home appliance for respiratory muscle resistance training combined with warm steam inhalation. I started using it in November 2024, and you won’t believe what happened…
The following blog post describes my personal experience with the WellO2 product. I’ve tried to be as objective as possible without exaggeration—this is not an advertisement, but rather a testimonial.
WellO2 – before unboxing
At one of the conferences related to sleep health, I stumbled upon a Finnish company WellO2. Immediately I became interested in their product – a home-appliance for respiratory muscle resistance training with warm steam inhalation.
At the ESRS Sleep Europe 2024
The following article is a description of my experience with WellO2 product. I tried to be here as objective as possible without exaggerating, this is not an advertisement, is rather a testimonial.
I started using it in November 2024. You won’t believe what happened…
What is this kettle-like device?
It is a a breathing trainer that combines two powerful elements: resistance training for your respiratory muscles and warm steam inhalation. It is a medication-free approach to not only enhance breathing but actually to improve overall wellbeing, sleep quality and even treat sleep disorders. There is on ongoing scientifi research that aims to show that this device can really cut out many of obstructive sleep apnea events.
The WellO2 set for breathing training.
How do I use it?
I do it usually in the evening or just before bed. Only with the nose mask, nose breathing. I never use a mouth piece. I fill the kettle-like device with cold water, select the temperature level, usually I select the first level (one dot). Then the device heats water. When it is ready there is a sound notification. Then I connect all the parts, the nose mask to the tube and through the adapter to the device.
One dot means the lowest steam’s temperature.
In the seated position I start from doing a couple of gentle exhales though the nose. This produces more steam and gives me some time to slow down my breathing and relax. When I feel ready, I do the first inhale.
During this short session, which usually is not longer than 2 minutes, I am aware of my breath. I avoid chest breathing and focus on diaphragm. I relax my throat (especially on the inhales), my shoulders. After 2 or 3 in&out’s I take a short brake keeping on nose breathing.
The inhales and exhales are about 5 seconds long. If I push myself too much, literally with the nose, or by extending the inhales and exhales, it may give me some dizziness. So I try to be careful and not to go too far, and take a break whenever this moment is coming.
It is part of my evening routine.
What is the effect?
The effects are really instant. Probably it is individual, like everything, but for me after just a few breaths it is always a big difference. Opening and moisturizing the airways brings so pleasant relief, smootheness in every inhale which further leads to calmness and better sleep with my mouth shut. Then sometimes I even don’t need to tape my mouth shut anymore. When I put my tongue in right position and nasal passages are not congested, I just keep on nose breathing throughout the night. It is not always like that but I clearly see a habit that is being built and I’m getting there.
How about children?
My 7-years old daughter snores occasionally. From time to time I give her WellO2 before bed, and during the night that follows her breath is seemless. I don’t give it to her everyday, I think that would be too much.
Are there any risks?
The biggest risks I see at the moment can be created by the users themselves. People who push themselves too much or perform the exercises incorrectly may not experience the benefits, or in worst case they may get some bad breathing habits if they repeat it long enough. But don’t get me wrong, it is not rocket science, you don’t need to be guided step by step. It is enough to be gentle for yourself and mindfull during exercises. If something doesn’t feel right it is probably not. Overdoing anything is not a good idea in general.
Are there any disadvantages?
The device takes some space on your shelve. For people who are minimalistic, this might be difficult to swallow. The other thing is that you need to be careful with cleaning the silicone parts. I used one time too warm water and my mask and tube start to break down a little bit, but fortunately it doesn’t make the set unusable, at least for now.
