I started with the app and then after about half a year stopped using it and started exploring further. I think headspace and waking up are good. But after a while I wanted to go deeper
Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
51–60 of 102 posts
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#52I 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.
I've used high intensity cardio to manage pretty much any mental health issues I've flirted with over the years. (for me, mostly issues with focus, anxiety).
I am almost 40 now and I do see it seems to be diminishing in terms of effectiveness. I've tried to vary the amount and intensity but that has had limited impact.
I find now I need to manage other factors: alcohol intake, my diet, socialization, sleep, news consumption are all big ones for me.
I think there is a reason people do simplify many aspects of their lives as they get older. The sharp tools of youth aren't quite the magic they used to be.
Apps like Headspace, or just meditation generally, is something I have tried and I can see the benefit. I try to "clear my head" twice a day. Usually that's a 20 minute nap, and I've been trying to find another option and meditation seems like a good one.
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#53The biggest benefit I’ve received in order are from these 3 apps:
Way of Life (habit tracker). Since using it I’ve been much more consistent with important habits like working out, flossing, gratitude.
5 minute journal - I use this primarily as a gratitude journal. We train our brains to look for errors (debugging software, sending out VC rejection letters, lawyers looking for mistakes etc) and this forces you to search for and find good things. It’s helped tremendously in my marriage.
Waking Up - meditation app already discussed in this thread.
Easy enough to find free replacements for the first two if needed. Waking Up is great for learning - the content Sam provides is like nothing else I’ve found.
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#54I have struggled with depression and anxiety for most of my life. I just completed a full year without depression for the first time in my life, and a big part of that in my view is my use of headspace every day. I just crossed the 365 days in a row mark and I’m really proud of the progress I’ve made.
I use it not only for guided meditations (which really help my anxiety) but also and almost more importantly, I use it for sleep. The wind down visualization is a nightly ritual for me, and sleep casts are great for when you want to let your mind wander off to rest.
I am in no way affiliated with headspace, ymmv, but I’ve had great success with it and happily pay yearly.
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#55I specifically wanted to learn meditation several years ago and used the headspace app to do so. After going through their several basic programs and then the various 'pro' levels I stopped needing the app to meditate.
The app was invaluable to learn how to sit quietly and control my mind but after like ~2 / 3 months it stopped being useful as I was much less interested in the 'medititaion for running" "meditation for relationships" etc. I just wanted to learn the basics and not apply the meditation to a specific topic. For that it was great. As with anything though, YMMV
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#56I think you're misunderstanding the point of these apps, which might very well be intentional on these companies' part to get you to spend money on something that you might not need. Therapy doesn't "solve" anything by itself, you must see it as a tool to help you put your mind in a better position so that you can solve your problems. Lots of people see these as magical apps that will somehow magically make them bett…
I feel like this is rephrasing the issue in an unhelpful way. Sure the app isn’t going to do the work for you but it’s still valuable to know what the average marginal benefit is relative to not using one or using a different one, especially considering these are paid services and therefore need to be considered for value.
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#57I 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.
For meditation I think people are trying to "meditate". Where I would get same benefits from 45-60 min cardio where I focus on the training and rhythm of music. I definitely also felt "meditation" effects from reading books - but of course with intense focus on the book not thinking about anything else and not having tv running in background and people trying to talk to me. In the end I do believe I get the same bene…
Respectfully, I don’t think you understand mediation. It’s not about intense focus, it’s about awareness.
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#58I think they do work but until you learn the basics, afterwards is just burning money
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#59I’ve used Headspace for years and it changed my life. Guided meditation and learning how to work with my emotions has gotten me through some rough times and PTSD. The amount of content in the app like daily videos, exercises, sleep aid and more keeps me there. Headspace is expensive, but I renew every year because it works for me. The only negative I have to add is they they need to make a decent iPad app.
I’m happy it’s worked for you, that’s my experience too!
Re: Ask HN: Have you had any real benefits from apps like Headspace, Fabulous, etc?
#60After 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?
>> While you can get some benefits from simply practicing meditation, it can feel a bit aimless
> Isn’t that… the point of meditation?
Absolutely not! The secularization of meditation in the west has completely divorced meditation from it's original purpose (in the Buddhist context). Meditation is a complete mental training program. Monks did not just sit there on a cushion; they worked with teachers, reflected on ideas, and gained insights.
There is a mistaken view that meditation is just sitting there, but meditation is an active practice that includes eating, walking, cleaning, etc.
Being divorced from tradition is what makes it aimless and pointless.
I am not personally against secularization, but if we are going to extract ideas from these traditions, we should honor them and make them work effectively in our modern lives.