If you are Mr. Andy Puddicombe of Headspace the answer to the above question is a definite yes. In an article in the Los Angeles Times business section for January 6, 2016 by David Pierson titled "Mindful of Technology", Mr. Puddicombe's company is profiled. Headspace is a mobile app guiding listeners on meditation for topics as diverse as anxiety and relationship issues. Each meditation is no longer than 10 minutes though the developers are seeking to shorten that time as well. Headspace now is popular with celebrities some of whom also are investors in the growing company. The company recently raised $30 million through the Chernin Group, a Los Angeles entertainment and media-focused investment firm. Downloads of the app increased to 5 million in the last year and it is offered on Virgin Atlantic flights while employees at Google and Linkedin have access to a companywide subscription. Various users of the app were quoted and noted that it helped them become more aware of stressful situations and then to focus. Other users observed that the app helped them to become more mindful and present focused.
I did like the reference to use of the app as akin to going to a mental gym. As Mr. Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, observed, "We go to the gym to be more active in life in just the same way we meditate; so we can be more mindful and more present and enjoy our life a little bit more." As we start the New Year with increased emphasis on physical health and the yearly rush to gym memberships, there is less emphasis on increasing our mental fitness. Such mental fitness includes being able to relax mentally and physically, focus, have more mental energy, solve problems more efficiently, reduce stress, and enjoy life more.
But can you really do this with 10 minutes or less per day? What research is available regarding meditation has used longer time periods of practice. There is some early evidence from research that meditators can reduce activation in stress circuits in the frontal lobe, reduce blood pressure, and lower blood serum cortisol, a stress hormone.
Should you try such technology? Whether or not you can lower stress with such apps, there is no denying their increasing popularity. I also recognize that there is extremely low risk of any harm. For those individuals who might benefit, there is no harm in giving it a try and its easy accessibility is attractive.
However, as a clinical neuropsychologist who writes frequently on stress related topics, I would remind that there are millions of people who suffer from such severe stress reactions that their physical and mental health are compromised, resulting in lost workplace productivity and lessened well being in their lives. Are you one of those people? If so, the app probably would not be enough for you. Rather, you are advised to a more comprehensive stress management package addressing the multiple factors I have discussed in other posts. These include:
Changing Mindsets
Mindfulness approaches, i.e. meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, yoga, massage
Proper diet and exercise
Good time management
Positive self-affirmations
Creation of proper social supports
Goal setting, focus, and improved problem solving
Improved communication skills and relationship building
Spirituality
I have found the above factors to help reduce the deleterious mental and physical effects of stress with thousands of patients and consultees with whom I have worked over decades. It is more work than listening to 10 minutes of meditation. Yet, if you need a more comprehensive change in your life to reduce stress, restructuring your mental and physical habits will help you reap lasting positive effects including reorganization of your neural functioning. But if you feel stressed, be sure to do something. Setting an intention itself will help empower you and give you a boost toward feeling a sense of self-mastery, another concept important to handling the stressors of your life.
As always, change your thoughts, change your results. Good luck on your journey.
Dr. Paul Longobardi
For additional information on these and related topics, please see my website at www.successandmindset.com.