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Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

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Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#31

Post by Horticulture »

You should check out Medito - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=meditofoundati.... It's free & non-profit with daily sessions. No need to pay for anything like this imo, but I have donated to Medito because they offer a good service, for free, and for the right reasons.

Fwiw, the benefit I've found is just in a more general mindfulness, and meditation can be part of that. Notice yourself tensing or clenching your jaw, and make a conscious effort to reduce that. Pay attention when something feels good, or hurts to think about. It has given me some modicum of clarity and engagement I didn't before.

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#32

Post by warrenonline »

I use Headspace daily and it changed my life. Daily guided meditation has gotten me through some really rough time and PTSD. The app has so much in it with exercises, sleep assistance and daily videos. I’ve paid for it for years and will likely continue.

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#33

Post by reom_tobit »

skilled wrote: post #25

I've always held a strong opinion about meditation apps, especially something like Headspace, which was founded by an ex-Buddhist. And, the fact that these apps also charge _money_ is just dumb. The strawman argument is that, "Yeah, but some people need guidance.". Which doesn't make any sense. You have to learn to guide yourself. For a lot of people, these apps are an excuse to go and poster themselves as "spiritual…

I think there’s some benefits to guided meditation in general. Different techniques (body scanning, breath counting, etc) aren’t necessarily obvious to people looking to meditate.

People also come to meditation for different reasons. Some want to chill out, others want to be more present in every day life.

I assume you’re well practiced so you’ll know that ultimately apps aren’t what you need for “real” meditation. I think they’re a good starting point for many though.

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#34

Post by lotsofpulp »

I feel like 45min to 60min high intensity interval training (HIIT) cardiovascular exercise (e.g. swimming, running, rowing, bicycling, stairs, elliptical, etc) would be cheaper and address a host of other health issues also. Include some compound weight lifting like pull ups, deadlift, squat, bench press, lunges, and core workouts like planks, and I bet outcomes greatly exceed whatever an app can provide.

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#35

Post by solarengineer »

gunfighthacksaw wrote: post #23
maroonblazer wrote: post #15

After trying Headspace and Calm I settled on the app Waking Up[0] and have been using it for a couple of years now. It's been a huge help. It's a lot more than just a guided meditation app. While you can get some benefits from simply practicing meditation, it can feel a bit aimless. What I like about Waking Up is the conversations with experienced meditators where they talk about the practice itself. These serve as a…

> While you can get some benefits from simply practicing meditation, it can feel a bit aimless Isn’t that… the point of meditation?

When I practiced mindfulness meditation, I was incredibly in the moment. Zero distractions.

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#36

Post by photochemsyn »

It's possible to set up a daily reminder system for helping yourself with ah, 'behavioral modification' etc. using Linux and cron:

> "Cron is one of Linux’s most useful tools and a developer favorite because it allows you to run automated commands at specific periods, dates, and intervals using both general-purpose and task-specific scripts. Given that description, you can imagine how system admins use it to automate backup tasks, directory cleaning, notifications, etc."

For example, one could get a cheap Raspberry Pi, set it up as a server on your local network, and use cron to have it send your phone daily email alerts about taking care of yourself on a particular schedule. Hmmm FOSS project?

[Edit re OP question: I wouldn't use pre-packaged apps for this because of the motivation issue. If I build something myself I'm far more likely to use it, because I want some kind of payoff for that original input of effort.]

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#37

Post by [deleted] »

skilled wrote: post #25

I've always held a strong opinion about meditation apps, especially something like Headspace, which was founded by an ex-Buddhist. And, the fact that these apps also charge _money_ is just dumb. The strawman argument is that, "Yeah, but some people need guidance.". Which doesn't make any sense. You have to learn to guide yourself. For a lot of people, these apps are an excuse to go and poster themselves as "spiritual…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#38

Post by xyzzy21 »

Easily 99.99% of all "apps" have no utility or value.

It's one of the reasons why I'm serious considering a dumb phone - save money and less distraction/uselessness. I don't really see too much being lost by stepping down. People already call me "the human GPS" because my sense of direction usually doesn't require using GPS devices. I don't "do" social media. Most of what I do professionally does not require a smart phone in any way, shape or form.

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#39

Post by para_parolu »

photochemsyn wrote: post #36

It's possible to set up a daily reminder system for helping yourself with ah, 'behavioral modification' etc. using Linux and cron: > "Cron is one of Linux’s most useful tools and a developer favorite because it allows you to run automated commands at specific periods, dates, and intervals using both general-purpose and task-specific scripts. Given that description, you can imagine how system admins use it to automate…

It looks like calendar app will be the same but easier.

Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?

#40

Post by d0gbread »

photochemsyn wrote: post #36

It's possible to set up a daily reminder system for helping yourself with ah, 'behavioral modification' etc. using Linux and cron: > "Cron is one of Linux’s most useful tools and a developer favorite because it allows you to run automated commands at specific periods, dates, and intervals using both general-purpose and task-specific scripts. Given that description, you can imagine how system admins use it to automate…

Or, a recurring calendar invite. Or a million other solutions. But what about responding to OP and the question they asked?
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