Back in 2013, people predicted that the wearable tech trend would explode in 2014, and I’d say they were right. There are so many different flavors of wearable tech available these days that no matter what you fancy, you’ll probably find it in the form of a watch, headband, armband, belt, sandals or pair of glasses.
The one I’d like to share with you today is a headband called Muse (by InteraXon). Although I probably don’t have enough patience to use this headband as it’s intended, it’s an interesting concept that’s worth sharing.
To put it simply, Muse is a device that’s designed to teach us how to relax. That may sound Pollyanna at first, but let me explain. According to Newsweek, a recent Harvard study revealed that we spend 47% of our waking hours thinking about things other than what is going on in front of us.
In other words, we spend that time worrying or contemplating future or past events. This leads to unhappiness and stress. Judging from the amount of time I spend laying in bed at night thinking about my to-do list, I can relate to this statistic.
The Muse headband is supposed to help us unwind and unravel our worrying thoughts. And according to Venture Beat, it’s the “most important wearable tech of 2014.“
The way it works is surprisingly simple. It monitors the brain waves that are responsible for speech, critical thought and listening. It then instructs and teaches you how to become calm and relaxed, which leads to being less stressed and more happy.
We’ve all heard that the foods we eat, and the amount of sleep and exercise we get, affects our mind. With Muse, you’ll be able to learn more about how those things specifically affect your own mind, and how you can change your habits to get a more desired result.
By receiving real-time feedback and tracking your results, you can learn more about yourself and how to live a more calm, less stressed life.
My only question is, devices and apps that track this type of EEG information have been available for years, so how is this different? Perhaps it’s just that this is the first time the information has been available in a hipster-style headband that also offers guided meditation and readily available data packaged in trendy wearable tech.
InteraXon had a very successful campaign on Indigogo in 2012, a strong presence at CES in 2013, and now they’re ready to take on the world. If you like the looks of this device, you can pick one up for $299 on the Muse website.
Photo Credit: InteraXon
YouTube: CNET News – Headband lets you perform mind control on yourself
