Glass Twin

Using sound to reduce stress levels and aid wellbeing

An EPIC project

Echo point data transfer sticker with NFC (Near Field Communication)

‘Sonic safe spaces’ is how Glass Twin founder Justin Wiggan describes his latest wellbeing project – places where users can go to redirect negative emotions into positive ones using soundscapes combined with guided breathing. The use of sound as a tool to promote mental wellbeing is a strategy that Glass Twin has been exploring across multiple formats and venues, with promising results. EPIC teamed up with Glass Twin to help expand its Echo Point project into Cornish hospice care facilities.

Background

Sound artist Justin Wiggan has long been interested in the connection between sound and wellbeing, and he’s worked on numerous projects within the medical, research, and creative industries. His Echo Point installations have successfully been used in at least eight locations around the country, to help organisations such as The Fire Fighters Charity reduce stress levels and aid wellbeing within their communities.

Some of the aims of Echo Point are to:

reduce the risk of self-harm and suicide
aid decision-making
break negative thought patterns
raise nitric oxide levels (lower blood pressure)
redirect emotion
control breathing
improve mood.

Echo point data transfer sticker with NFC (Near Field Communication)

The soundscape includes a bespoke file of soothing sounds chosen by the local community, combined with a guided breathing technique. The relaxed breathing method – which involves breathing in for four seconds, holding the breath for seven seconds, and releasing the breath for eight seconds – helps with anxiety reduction by regulating the hormone cortisol (which controls the body’s fight or flight response).

In some locations, users sit on a solar-powered bench and press a button to access the sound file, while other Echo Points are facilitated by the use of a QR code that directs users to a website with the file on it.

How has EPIC supported Glass Twin?

EPIC researchers facilitated a collaboration with Cornwall Hospice Care, with the aim of producing an online version of Echo Point, in which users could scan a QR code and access a four-minute video with a guided breathing soundscape.

A Challenge Fund grant of £4,000 enabled Justin to produce a soundscape and guided breathing film for Cornwall Hospice Care, along with the QR code flyers that residents, staff, and family members can use to access the website. During the research stage, Justin adapted the guided breathing exercise from previous Echo Point projects to take into account the age and breathing pattern of the residents. This helped to create a bespoke experience optimised for maximum wellbeing benefits.

To assess the impact of the experience, participants are asked how they feel before and after watching the video by clicking one of three icons that best represents their mood. The results of the project, which went live in the spring of 2023, have yet to be processed, but Justin hopes that as with previous installations, they will show an improvement in participants’ state of mind. The hospice has also expressed an interest in providing a physical Echo Point location on site in future.

They’re interested in getting a bench themselves now, so they’re looking at funding

Said Justin.

What’s next for Glass Twin?

Among other sound and wellbeing projects, Justin is hoping to continue fundraising for additional Echo Point locations around the country. Ideally, these will be in universities and public spaces that will enable the maximum number of people to benefit from the positive mental health experience.