Opera Air is the most relaxing browser you’ve ever seen

Given how much work gets done in our browsers, it’s odd that companies haven’t capitalized on making their software as calming as possible. This is a shame because, if a recent survey from Opera is to be believed, we’re in dire need of a browser that can soothe us during the frantic days. Well, given how Opera makes browsers, it decided to solve this problem itself with Opera Air, a new version that emphasizes calmness and relaxation while you browse.

The Opera Air browser helps keep your blood pressure down

As announced by Opera, Air targets pain points that the browser company discovered when conducting a survey. The results speak for themselves:

58% of participants said they sometimes feel overwhelmed or stressed while browsing the web.

83% of all respondents said they would like it if their web browser made them feel better as they went about their day.

70% of respondents said that browsing the web on their computer (laptop or PC) is less distracting than browsing on their phone.

73% reported that a simplified, decluttered desktop browser interface would help them feel more relaxed as they browse.

75% said they would be interested in a browser that helps them relax through science-based techniques.

64% said that they would find it useful if their browser prompted them to take breaks while they work or browse.

In response to the need of a browser that takes the user’s mindfulness first and foremost, Opera Air focuses on what it calls “Boosts.” These are a collection of 19 features you can enable as you see fit to get the best experience possible. One boost, called “Ambient sounds,” gives some nice soundscapes to work to, while “Binaural beats” use two different sound waves that makes the brain perceive a third frequency, which Opera states “induces specific brainwave states.”

The new “Take a Break” feature stops you from curling up like a shrimp for hours on end. These guide you through breathing and neck exercises, meditation techniques, and ‘full body scans’, where you do a quick check-up to look for tense parts of your body. You can select between two voices, Emma or Alex, to guide you, but don’t fret; neither of them uses AI.

Opera also mentions that Air still has all the nice features that come with the base product, like a free VPN that doesn’t require an account and tracker blockers. If you want to give it a spin, head over to the Opera Air website and download it. And if you really want to mellow out, check out how to use an Apple Watch to relax.