Does digital therapy work?
Calming apps might not magically take away stress and lift the spirit, but they can help you relax if used the right way
 "Does digital therapy work?")
In the more chaotic moments of modern living, it can be somewhat calming to close your eyes and picture dropping your mobile phone into the depths of the ocean, or burying the metal contraption in a public park complete with an elaborate funeral.
Of course this is far from realistic in times when we are in the thick of technology and social media. As a curious offspring of balancing this need to stay connected with the desire to disconnect, a series of mobile apps have sprung up which offer "digital therapy".
Headspace, Calm, Stop Breathe and Think, and Insight Timer are popular among apps that train users in meditation or mood-lifting exercises. Many of the apps are based on "mindfulness", derived from Buddhist principles of focusing on the present moment, which has been embraced by employees in Silicon Valley as well as Fortune 500 companies. A few of the apps rely on giving a set of calming sounds and visuals to inspire relaxation.
Some users and experts alike vouch for its benefits. Delhi-based photographer Kavyanjali Kaushik downloaded Headspace with a fair amount of scepticism. But she was keen on trying meditation after becoming disenchanted with routine socialising and hours of pointless conversations. A free app seemed practical rather than paid stints at an ashram or meditation studio. "It is difficult to take out time or have the patience these days to sit in silence for at least 20 minutes every day without external help."
Marketing professional Vinita D'Souza used an app called Calm while driving to and from work. The free five-minute sessions helped the 28-year-old, who struggles with clinical depression, to control her breathing. Both Kaushik and D'souza were able to eventually practice meditation without the app. Clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany, however, warns that apps should not be used by those seeking instant gratification. "People want to switch on an app and immediately feel better. There are no magic ingredients. Users need to be motivated and committed too." Using apps at night is not advisable, she adds, as it best to spend the hours before bed away from smartphones.
Trained mindfulness coach Aarathi Selvan says it can be a healthier alternative to anti-depressants. She routinely recommends apps because they demonstrate the fact that you don't need a controlled environment or set times to meditate. "You can take a few minutes out anywhere without disrupting your everyday life."
Of course this is far from realistic in times when we are in the thick of technology and social media. As a curious offspring of balancing this need to stay connected with the desire to disconnect, a series of mobile apps have sprung up which offer "digital therapy".
Headspace, Calm, Stop Breathe and Think, and Insight Timer are popular among apps that train users in meditation or mood-lifting exercises. Many of the apps are based on "mindfulness", derived from Buddhist principles of focusing on the present moment, which has been embraced by employees in Silicon Valley as well as Fortune 500 companies. A few of the apps rely on giving a set of calming sounds and visuals to inspire relaxation.
Some users and experts alike vouch for its benefits. Delhi-based photographer Kavyanjali Kaushik downloaded Headspace with a fair amount of scepticism. But she was keen on trying meditation after becoming disenchanted with routine socialising and hours of pointless conversations. A free app seemed practical rather than paid stints at an ashram or meditation studio. "It is difficult to take out time or have the patience these days to sit in silence for at least 20 minutes every day without external help."
Marketing professional Vinita D'Souza used an app called Calm while driving to and from work. The free five-minute sessions helped the 28-year-old, who struggles with clinical depression, to control her breathing. Both Kaushik and D'souza were able to eventually practice meditation without the app. Clinical psychologist Seema Hingorrany, however, warns that apps should not be used by those seeking instant gratification. "People want to switch on an app and immediately feel better. There are no magic ingredients. Users need to be motivated and committed too." Using apps at night is not advisable, she adds, as it best to spend the hours before bed away from smartphones.
Trained mindfulness coach Aarathi Selvan says it can be a healthier alternative to anti-depressants. She routinely recommends apps because they demonstrate the fact that you don't need a controlled environment or set times to meditate. "You can take a few minutes out anywhere without disrupting your everyday life."
| STOCK FUTURES/ OPTIONS INSIGHT TIMER Available for Android and iPhone Hits: It adds you to a worldwide community of meditators. good morning, sleep, There is a lot of free. A personal favourite is mini-moments — a set of one to two minute guided meditations that tell you to “simply be” and “pause”. Misses: A lot of the content seems to be crowd-sourced. There is no apparent curating by the app makers, and you only have user ratings to go by while picking a session. Cost: Free CALM Available for Android and iPhone Hits: It allows users to pick from a range of calming sounds and scenes as background for meditation practice. There are also guided sessions for releasing anxiety, or emergency calming, the durations of which can be customised. Besides these, Calm offers “seven days of … “ series dedicated to virtues such as gratitude and forgiveness. Misses: While there are a variety of services, there is no explainer to help new users navigate the app. The only way to discover things is by tinkering with it on your own. Cost: Limited access for free, paid thereafter HEADSPACE Available for Android and iPhone Hits: Its founder Andy Puddicombe calls it “a gym membership for the mind”. The app provides 10 free sessions of 10 minutes each, narrated in Puddicombe’s soft British lilt, and featuring charming illustrations. The aim here is to calm you by bringing attention to your breathing and the weight of your body. It is relaxing and effective even in the frenzy of a Mumbai local. Misses: With no way to simply skip a session or randomly select a lesson, you have to follow the app’s predetermined order. Cost: Free for 10 sessions, subscription fees for greater access MINDBELL Available for Android MINDFULNESS BELL Available for iPhone Hits: These apps provide the sound of a Tibetan singing bell, which you can set to ring at regular intervals. The reverberating tinkle serves as a reminder to come back to the present moment. Misses: None really. It does one thing and does it well. Cost: Free |
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