Let’s face it – most of us don’t need another notification telling us we’re stressed. We already know.
Between work deadlines, family commitments, endless to-do lists and the constant stream of information competing for our attention, it’s no surprise that so many of us feel like we’re running on empty. And while smartwatches can tell us how many steps we’ve taken or how well we slept, they rarely help in the moment when anxiety starts creeping in or overwhelm takes hold.
That’s exactly the problem two Auckland mums set out to solve.
Ashlee Rose and Kristy Taylor have launched TAKE.IN, a world-first biofeedback necklace necklace that combines elegant jewellery with technology designed to help people become more aware of their breathing patterns – one of the body’s most powerful yet often overlooked tools for managing stress.
Rather than focusing on fitness goals or productivity metrics, TAKE.IN has been created with emotional wellbeing in mind. The necklace monitors breathing patterns and provides biofeedback, guided breathing experiences and insights designed to help users better recognise and regulate their stress response.
“It’s not about optimising every part of your life,” says co-founder Kristy Taylor. “It’s about helping people feel more connected to themselves.”
Why Breathing Matters
When life feels overwhelming, our breathing is often one of the first things to change. It becomes shallow, rapid or irregular without us even noticing.
Research continues to show that slow, controlled breathing can activate the body’s natural relaxation response, helping shift the nervous system away from “fight or flight” mode and into a calmer state. Over time, becoming more aware of your breath may also help you recognise stress earlier, before it snowballs into full-blown overwhelm.
The challenge is remembering to actually do it.
That’s where TAKE.IN hopes to make a difference by gently encouraging breath awareness throughout the day, rather than expecting people to carve out another 20 minutes for meditation or mindfulness.
Born From Personal Experience
For both founders, the inspiration wasn’t just professional – it was deeply personal.
Ashlee Rose spent years leading sales, marketing and business growth while also guiding more than 1,000 women through yoga, mindfulness and breathwork workshops. Time and again, she saw the same pattern emerge: women were exhausted, overwhelmed and craving simple ways to feel calmer.
Kristy Taylor’s journey was equally personal. After experiencing chronic stress, tension and nervous system dysregulation herself, learning to retrain her breathing became a turning point in her own wellbeing.
Together, they began asking an intriguing question: what if the benefits of breathwork could be woven into everyday life instead of becoming another item on an already overwhelming wellness checklist?
That question became TAKE.IN.
Wellness That Doesn’t Look Clinical
One of the most refreshing things about TAKE.IN is that it doesn’t resemble a piece of health technology at all.
Designed as timeless jewellery, the necklace reflects the founders’ belief that wellness products should feel beautiful as well as functional. Instead of looking like another gadget strapped to your wrist, it’s intended to become something you’ll actually want to wear every day.
It’s part of a growing movement in wearable technology that shifts the focus away from performance and towards emotional wellbeing.
A Growing Focus on Emotional Health
As conversations around mental health and burnout become increasingly common, many people are looking for practical ways to support their wellbeing beyond traditional fitness tracking.
TAKE.IN enters the market at a time when consumers are becoming more interested in understanding how their bodies respond to stress, rather than simply measuring calories burned or kilometres walked.
The Auckland start-up has already secured $278,000 in funding from New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), with pre-orders now open ahead of its expected November release.
Whether wearable breath technology becomes the next big wellness trend remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: in a world that constantly encourages us to move faster, a gentle reminder to pause, breathe and reconnect with ourselves feels surprisingly timely.
Prices start from NZD $649. Choose from gold-plated, polished stainless steel, or dark grey anodised finish. Paired with ongoing membership experiences, TAKE.IN is designed to support a lifelong practise of awareness, regulation and growth. For more information or to pre-order, visit their website.
