Meditation Wristband

The Meditation Wristband is a visual guidance for breath regulation, functioning as a meditation buddy. The user is to follow the lights on the wristband to meditate and take deep breaths (inhale when LEDs are on and exhale when LEDs are off). The main idea is to use the user’s pulse as data and LEDs as output where the duration of the lights being on and off depends on the user’s heart rate.

This project's physical design is a crocheted wristband. This is inspired by the Stretch Sensitive Bracelet on its incorporation of knitting in wearable technology. The Meditation Wristband's aspect of using the user's pulse as data is inspired by the Heart Rate Pendant. As inspired by Eunoia II, I wanted to make my project a meditation buddy to help minimize anxieties.

The supplies you will need for the physical design include:

1. Yarn (any color(s) you like)
2. Crochet hook (I used 3.75mm)
3. Sewing needle
4. Sewing thread
5. Fabric

The supplies you will need for the circuit design include:

1. Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit
2. Adafruit pulse sensor
3. 4 LEDs
4. Solder
5. Wires
6. Battery
7. Screws and nuts

Here is the circuit design for you to better visualize the electric components of the wearable. I created it using Fusion 360. The circuit design includes the Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit, wires, battery, 4 LEDs, and a pulse sensor.

I have attached my code to the design.

The code is set to ranges using if else statements, where the duration of lights on (inhaling) and lights off (exhaling) depends on the heart rate of the user.

For example, if user’s heart rate is beyond average, the duration will be longer to guide the user to take longer breaths to help them lower their heart rate and minimize anxiety.

First, crochet 3 granny squares. Since I wanted the star pattern, I used a dark brown yarn for the first loop of crochet. Then, I used the white yarn for the outer loop of crochet for color contrast. Here is a tutorial for crocheting granny squares.

After the granny squares are done, crochet them together by following this simple tutorial.

Then, I did a single crochet all around the connected three granny squares as an 'outline' to make it look neater and wider.

Lastly, I made two strings on the ends of the connected granny squares using single crochets all the way. These strings will be used to tie around the wrist. Make sure that they are long enough for any wrist size desired!

Firstly, I curled the legs of the LEDs into small hoops. This will be useful when it comes to sewing the legs onto the crocheted wristband.

Next, I soldered the LED legs with wires.

Then, I used screws and nuts to attach the wires of the LEDs and the pulse sensor onto the Adafruit Circuit Playground Bluefruit.

First, cut your fabric into a similar size as one granny square. This will be used as a pocket on one end of the wristband to store the circuit board. Sew it onto the crochet with the desired openings depending on where your wires go through from your circuit board.

Then, open the legs of the LEDs and sew them onto the wristband through the hoops. I also sewed some parts of the wires to stabilize them.

Next, sew another pocket onto the middle granny square, which will be used to hold the battery.

Lastly, crochet over the pulse sensor's wires and create a ring using single crochets near the sensor part. This will be used to hold the user's finger.

In the end, I crocheted another two rows of the brown yarn onto the wristband because I needed them to be a little bigger. Feel free to crochet more or less depending on the desired size!