9/14/2023 0 Comments Muse headband 2![]() For example, in the Beach Walk visualization, the frequency of notes reflects your heart rate.Ī lot of data is transmitted and processed as you sleep, and we found that the app was quite power-hungry, so we strongly recommend keeping your phone plugged in overnight so the battery doesn’t run down after a few hours. The sound effects are co-ordinated with feedback from the band's sensors. There are also guidances, where different speakers talk you through a visualization or inspiration session, helping take your mind off your daily worries. Set a timer for how long the sound should play, and the Muse S will begin tracking your sleep once the soundscape is finished. The concept is a good one, and we enjoyed the various soundscapes that you can choose from (including ocean rhythm, soothing piano, and river walk). It’s harder to forget about than a watch or a device like the Withings Sleep Analyzer, which simply slides under your mattress. While we enjoyed the Muse S for meditation, it isn’t something we’d want to wear regularly at night. Gamifying mindfulness might seem counter-productive, but it's actually quite motivating to have a goal to aim for, and a good encouragement to come back to the app day after day. ![]() You can earn badges for staying calm for a certain period of time, or triggering a particular number of birds. Once you’ve completed your session (signified by a gentle chime), you’ll be presented with a timeline showing how calm you were throughout, and when any bird sounds occurred. When you’re particularly calm, you’ll hear a bird chirp in the background. It can be an effort to regain your concentration when the sounds start to intensify, but you're encouraged not to judge yourself for it. The 'mind' sessions are very similar to meditation classes we’ve taken face-to-face bring your attention to your breathing, and don't try to stop thinking, but allow any thoughts and distractions to happen without dwelling on them. Meditation with Muse S (Image credit: Future) Quiet sounds indicate that you’re doing well (staying still, keeping calm, lowering your heart rate, or whatever the goal of your session. Heart meditation is also accompanied by a drum beat, representing your heart rhythm. As you meditate, you’ll notice the sounds become softer or louder. You can choose different ‘soundscapes’ for your meditation, including rainforest (our favorite), beach, desert, city park, ambient music, campfire, and campfire music. These aren’t all included with the initial app installation, and need to be downloaded separately, but this is understandable the APK would be huge if every sound file was packaged up. There are different types of meditation to choose from, including mind, heart (which focuses on lowering your heart rate), body (concentrating on maintaining good posture and staying still), breath, guided meditations, and simple sessions on a timer. Moving about (even just moving your eyes) can interrupt this process, but after a minute or so you'll be notified that it's complete. You’ll also be given lots of guidance on what to do if the sensors can’t establish a connection, including using a little water to dampen your skin, but we had no issues at all in testing.īefore each meditation or sleep session, you’ll be prompted to sit still and close your eyes while the sensors are tested. ![]() If you have long hair you might find it easiest to tie it back before getting started. The app walks you through the process of adjusting the band and settling it on your head. We recommend sound-cancelling earbuds so you can concentrate fully on your meditation. You'll need to use your phone's speaker or, better yet, a set of earphones for the app's audio. On the band's inner surface you'll find a set of sensors, including EEG to monitor brain activity, PPG for heart rate monitoring, and pulse oximetry for blood oxygen saturation, The control unit also contains a gyroscope and accelerometer to detect movement. You'll need to juice it up regularly if you're using it for sleep tracking, but battery life has improved dramatically compared to the Muse 2, which could only keep running for five hours on a single charge. This unit is charged via a micro USB cable. Unlike the Muse 2, which features a slim, rigid band that's secured behind your ears like a pair of spectacles, the Muse S is made from soft cloth, with central control/battery unit that sits on your forehead. The Muse S is a great way to develop a regular mindfulness practice, particularly in these stressful times, but given the choice we'd be inclined to sacrifice the sleep tracking tools and opt for the more affordable Muse 2 unless the S is on special offer. A smartwatch or under-mattress tracking device might not give you such detailed analysis in the morning, but will be less obtrusive overnight.
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