Abstract: A system to monitor respiration activity of a user and provide appropriate feedback to the user includes a respiration feedback monitor sized and configured to be worn by the user. In the depicted embodiment, respiration activity is measured with components including a retractable cord coupled to an optical distance measurement device. Feedback is typically provided using vibrations of certain duration and repetition. The system operates under various user selectable operational modes. Each operational mode is associated with particular respiration feedback criteria used to determine appropriate feedback for the user. The respiration feedback criteria is related to respiration rate levels and respiration depth associated with respiration activity level measured for the user. Distribution plots such as histograms associated with respiration measurement contribute to aspects of the feedback criteria and help establish other aspects of appropriate feedback.