I'm sorry to all the cynical naysayers on the Emwave 1 page (most of whom seem like they need a serious dose of chill-out, my friends!). I think this thing is super-cool.
Background: I'm almost 10 years sober and have done a lot of work meditating, and basically just developing a common-sense spiritual practice that includes stuff like The Power of Now.
I just need something fun to sort of force me to sit and do the breathing thing. A motivator, if you will. If it looks cool and fun, all the better.
Yes, this is a bit pricey, but in all fairness you can see the amount of serious work that went into this thing. The software that comes with it (which thankfully does work on my Mac -was a bit worried about that) has tutorials and a really pro interface. It's fun to sit and watch it. (I realize I'm suddenly sounding like an ad, but this is a positive review, so!) It has "games" like the Coherence Coach, which I'm sort of half-assedly doing as I type this, which has relaxing music and a gentle voice leading you through relaxation techniques. I see three other games I haven't clicked on yet, one of which is a garden where color appears as you relax.
Maybe this stuff wasn't in the Emwave 1; I have no idea. Just heard about it from a review on Stresseraser, which was the first device I was considering over Xmas.
Okay, now I'm running the Garden Game. This is goofy and fun. Little twinkles as you change "coherence levels." Very relaxing.
I also dig:
1) Rechargeable. No batteries. I wonder how long the charge lasts, though. And now that I think about it, this could be a "con" if I'm traveling without a laptop. Maybe an adaptor would do the trick? Note to self: Need to find out. Anyway, still think it's a "pro."
2) Ear clip! I didn't think this was a big deal until I started writing this review while using the device.
Finally, I'd like to address the notion of "half-assed," which is how I'm using this device at this moment.
Sometimes it's a good thing. Like most of us with chronic stress, I'm a hideous, horrible perfectionist. I read a negative review where someone was complaining that they would be about to "achieve" the highest rating and then would get stressed about getting there, which would lead to them "losing" the rating.
This sort of thing (which I, too, am prone to ... I'm the one buying a stress-related machine, after all) underscores the idea that a machine alone can't help you relax. It has to be a tool in conjunction with "attitude" (or, if you don't object to the term, spiritual) work. I recommend The Power of Now and The Sedona Method. (Also AA, which has worked wonderfully for me.)
Like the saying, "life is a journey, not a destination," relaxation is a process, not a goal.
It's obsessive goal-seeking (and believe me I know all about this) that creates so much misery in our world today: living in and for the future, instead of celebrating what's happening at this very moment. Breathing in. Breathing out. Writing a goofy review on Amazon. Watching a 9-point field of Verdana letters expand as I click little keys on a little keyboard. The sound of traffic outside my window. My cat snoring behind me.
This is what it's all about. Right now. And it's good.
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(p.s. paid 150 for this on amazon, but now, only a few days later, see it's 228! i probably wouldn't have bought it for this price! it seems worth it, but just fyi guess i was lucky, and hope you will be, too!)
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update 1/16 actually using it
I finally got around to using it the "right" (or most intensive) way, with the "healing hands visualizer," which is basically like one of the iTunes "visualizers", but which changes color based on your "coherence" level. Great if you don't mind a wee bit of New Age-y music and vibe.
If you're more techno-music oriented, there's also a visualizer under "coherence coach" called water droplet that's nice. And there's an option to upload your own playlist.
I guess one of my fears with this was that I'd never _actually_ use it, but it was a very relaxing experience. Really soothing, and I upped my first official "tracked" score by stopping looking at whether I was in "coherence" and simply thinking about happy memories.
I think this is going to be an excellent way to renew my daily meditation practice.
Still really happy with this purchase.
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update 1/24 stress to non-stress
I had an interesting experience last night.
Had a bit of bad financial news, so suddenly been stressed about money, but thought I was doing okay. Put on the emwave 2 before bed, and was shocked to see that, in fact, I was in "ALL-red" non-"coherence."
Came over to the computer to plug it in, and saw my heart was, in fact, racing compared to previous sessions. I was in only 15% coherence (on "Low" challenge, no less!), where I'm usually 70-90%!
Ran the "coherence coach."
The interesting thing was, while the regular breathing helped to get me into coherence somewhat, it only REALLY started going down when I started replacing my fearful thoughts ("if I don't make money I'm what will I do, I'm screwed, etc.") with thoughts like "I've always been taken care of," "everything's always worked out," and better YET, REMEMBERING / PICTURING times of plenty and safety (which have always followed fearful times, one way or another: which proves everything works out).
Tinnitus
This is revolutionary for me. I'd also like to mention I'm also a tinnitus sufferer, although an audiologist told me not to talk about it because it gives in "energy." But I think it's more important to share helpful news. Like many, I've noticed when the ringing is "mysteriously" louder, looking back I can see stressful circumstances surrounding it (it'll even "turn up in volume" very noticeably after a stressful thought). This device reminds me that, while tinnitus may not be under my control per se, my reactions ARE under my control! Another thing I noticed after reading the reviews of StressEraser (which I was considering buying first), was that when I'm stressed, 9 times out of 10 if I check my breathing I'll see I'm actually "holding" my breath, essentially choking off my air supply!
Summary
My conclusion is that by practicing more positive thoughts, avoiding resentment and cynicism (even cranky reviews, "feedback" or forums online ... you know what I mean), paying attention to my breathing and replacing fearful thoughts with safe thoughts, I can minimize negativity that's "hiding in the background" -i.e., I may THINK I'm "handling it," but physiologically my heart rate and breathing tell a different story.
This is why I got this. To develop the PRACTICE of de-stressing.
Re-ran the emwave with the positive thinking, and instantly went back to 88% coherence. Wows! (It also helps to not obsessively watch your "progress" ... just breathe and think positive stuff. When connected to the computer I'll even close my eyes some sessions so I can't see my coherence level, then look at "score" afterward. I seem to score as well or better like that.)
If you get it, be sure to use the computer "coherence coach," and make those thoughts POSITIVE, it seems to be working!
I've had a "StressEraser Portable Biofeedback Device" for several years. I have been working with a neurofeedback / biofeedback training specialist for several months (expensive, but worth it!). As I prepare to conclude my twice weekly sessions, I want to have something at home to help me maintain the gains I made during the months of neurofeedback training and tools to quiet my mind when I'm experiencing stress to which I can't otherwise regulate my reactions. I find feedback very helpful for getting the most of the time I invest in calming myself. The StressEraser provides feedback, but the EmWave2 provides much more feedback, particularly when using the device in conjunction with a computer. I sometimes have trouble getting the StressEraser to detect my pulse through the finger sensor and it is difficult to find a position in which to relax while using the StressEraser without losing the connection. EmWave2 addresses the connection issue nicely with an ear clip sensor. EmWave2 offers more options than does StressEraser and is easier to use. There are many optional accessories (books and software) available to add-on to the EmWave2 but "what's in the box" should be sufficient for most users.
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This device is simply amazing! Anyone can pace their breathing and think happy thoughts, but this tells me I am doing it right. Once it arrived, I barely read the instructions and just powered it on. (after 2 hour initial charge) I put my thumb on the sensor, and started breathing in and out with the pacer. After being stuck in the blue zone and finally transitioning to green (15 minute total session time), I felt amazing. I did this right before bed and felt extremely relaxed. It felt like a body buzz from alcohol, with no loss of lucidity. I went straight to sleep with no issues. (normally takes me some time to slip into sleep) The next day, I awoke extremely refreshed and did another session before work. It set the tone for my entire day, in a way I couldn't imagine. It was hard to have a negative thought and I felt very good. I've done about six more sessions since then and man it just gets better. I love the instant feedback and being able to look at charts of my progress. I know the heartmath institute can be a bit extreme on their stance of the heart, but I love what this device has done for me so far. I already meditate, eat a high quality diet, get proper sleep, take key vitamin supplements and use brain training tools and supplements. Even with all that, this device still has a place, in improving my overall well-being. I will try to update after a month or more of use. Hope this helps and best of luck.
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I can't tell if this gadget helps me meditate better, but I sure meditate a lot more because it makes meditation fun. There's a clearly defined goal, and the goal is pretty easy to reach, so it's fun the way games can be fun. I notice the price bounces around a lot, the way your meditation skill bounces around a lot, so if makes sense to watch the price fluctuations before you put your money down (I paid $150 on Amazon in February 2012.)
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I've been using the device for a few days now and found it to be very effective.
The device is basically a heart rate variability monitor. Simply put, the device measures your heart rate in real-time and records the data. Most people have a misconception that the heart rate is steady and can be represented as a single number. In reality the heart rate number most people think of is actually your average heart rate over a period of time. In a healthy individual the period of time between each heart beat will vary greatly.
The software included with emwave2 plots the data on a chart to show you a graphical representation of your HRV (heart rate variability). If you're stressed the swings from high to low tend to be irregular and appear jagged. On the other hand, when your body is in a "coherent" state the chart appears as a nearly perfect sin wave.
Getting your body to switch from a stressful state to a coherent state is the difficult part. There is a countless number of ways to accomplish this including breathing exercise, meditation or prayer. One of the features included in the software is the Coherence Coach. It will teach you how to breath at a regular pace while thinking of positive thoughts. If you're not happy with this method just use whatever method works for you.
Once you get the hang of things you can switch back to the chart to see how well you're doing in real-time. It will rate your HRV as either red (bad), blue (ok), green (good). It will then score your session based on how much time you spend in the red/blue/green zone. I was able to achieve a coherent state after about 10-15 minutes of practice. Your results may vary based on how stressed you are or how effective your method is. The more you practice the easier it will be to reach the coherent state.
Although I've tried breathing exercises I wasn't able to get them to work as effectively without seeing the biofeedback. I believe that after a few months of training the biofeedback will no longer be necessary.
One star deducted because of the high price.
Maybe I did something wrong, but the instructions were clear so I don't see how I could have. It just didn't work. The instructions clearly say not to put it in the frig or freezer. But that's the only way I can think it might actually work. Otherwise, it just doesn't stay cool
