Headspace Mindfulness - App Review

Headspace Mindfulness - App Review

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Posted 2015-10-07 by Clay Steelefollow
Mindfulness is one of the great rebranding exercises of our time: James Squire Golden Ale became " the Chancer ", Milk Coffee became a " Cafe Latte ", a dick-brained idea became a "Captain's Call" and meditation became "mindfulness".

To some "meditation" conjures up images of a buddhist monk at the top of a Tibetan Mountain who has spent their life attaining Zen. For others it's an androgynous baldie called Moonbeam who smells tangy while constantly referring to his/her inner moon goddess and the evils of fluoridated water.

Either way it's something we 'normals' will shy away from. But "mindfulness", well who wouldn't want to be mindful? I mean it just sounds so bloomin' intelligent doesn't it?

Consider this scenario: I found a quiet corner of my workplace in which to 'take ten' and listen to one of the Headspace Mindfulness App's 10 minute 'lessons'. Suddenly my Managing Director strides past

MD: "Steele, what on earth are you doing sitting there with your eyes closed?"
Me: "Just practicing mindfulness"
MD: "Ah, excellent Steele. A mindful employee is a productive employee. Come stride the hallways with me and mouth platitudes while I approve your pay rise and the redundancies of your enemies."

Versus

MD: "Steele, what on earth are you doing sitting there with your eyes closed?"
Me: "Just meditating"
MD: "I seeā€¦" (makes mental note to lose the hippy during the next restructure).

As a way to kick off a life more mindful the Headspace Mindfulness App is a free and easy way to do it. It allows the user, at a time and place convenient to them to dip their toe in the waters of Zen. It does so without them having to shave/refrain from shaving various body parts and demands absolutely no off key caterwauling with complete strangers.

Even if you've tried meditationā€¦ (sorry, mindfulness) but been unable to stick to it (Moonbeam's odours can be dissuasive) then once again the app is a great way to incorporate this ancient practice into a busy routine. Generally 10-15 minutes a day is all you need to find - either side of work or bedtime being a good place to start.

Numerous studies have shown that mediationfulness benefits mental and even physical well-being*, so canny marketing aside, it's worth having a look at. And despite what you may have heard, it's quite easy to do. As Lesson 3 of the app (spoiler alert) will tell you, it's much like sitting on the side of the road watching the traffic. The traffic in this instance are your thoughts - just let them drift by.

The first 10 lessons are free, after that you do need to subscribe to Headspace if you wish to continue. I haven't subscribed yet but found the app was an excellent way firstly to comprehend the concept of mindfulness and secondly to find a ten minute gap in my day to practice it.
- *I have made no attempt to identify any such study but it just sounds true doesn't it?

#free
#misc
#rainy_day
#victoria
%wneverywhere
87898 - 2023-06-11 07:44:57

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