Columbia, MO – Healium, a pioneer in reactive healing media, proudly announces the integration of the Muse 2 EEG meditation headband into its lineup of compatible wearables. This new addition allows Healium and Muse subscribers to visualize their emotions within virtual worlds, offering an even deeper, more responsive experience for measured mindfulness.

The Muse 2 integration is now live on Healium apps available for Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and Pico G3 virtual reality goggles. In addition, users can visualize their feelings through other fitness trackers such as the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch, with more compatible wearables coming soon.

Healium’s immersive products, including the popular Sleepium, are trusted worldwide by frontline healthcare workers, elite athletes, students, and the U.S. military.  Backed by 10 peer-reviewed journal articles, Healium has demonstrated clinical benefits in as little as four minutes. Mayo Clinic invested in the company’s latest funding round. Healium empowers users to self-manage anxiety, combat burnout, and downshift their nervous system before sleep or high-pressure situations. 

Leveraging patented technology, Healium transforms biometric data into dynamic, interactive visuals within virtual, augmented, and mixed-reality environments. Users can see and interact with their EEG brainwave patterns, heart rate, skin conductance, blood pressure, and other biomarkers, making bio-data more than just numbers—it’s now immersive, memorable, and visually engaging.

“Media images can be hurtful but when compounded differently into something soothing, they can also heal,” said Sarah Hill, CEO of Healium, who developed the technology in 2016 with Dr. Jeff Tarrant to mitigate the traumatic experiences she used to cover as a TV reporter. “We’re delighted to share Muse’s mindfulness capabilities with Healium’s customers.”

“We are excited to join forces with Healium to integrate Muse’s advanced EEG technology into their immersive virtual environments,” said Jean-Michel Fournier, CEO of Muse. “Together, we are redefining the future of mental health, providing powerful, non-invasive tools that empower individuals to achieve greater focus, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being.”

The global mental health crisis is staggering, with 800,000 people taking their own lives each year. Anxiety contributes to 60% of all illnesses, up to 50% of insomnia cases, and accounts for up to 90% of doctor visits. Amid the Opioid epidemic, many are seeking alternatives to pharmaceuticals due to concerns about side effects and addiction.

The World Health Organization calls stress the epidemic of the 21st century, costing U.S. businesses over $300 billion annually in lost productivity, absenteeism, and errors. While meditation is beneficial, it can be challenging to gauge its effectiveness. Healium addresses this by enabling users to not only track EEG brainwave and heart rate data from their wearables but also to visualize and interact with these metrics as 3D objects, fostering self-regulation of calm, focus, and sleep.

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About Healium is a media channel and patented technology that visualizes bio-data from consumer wearables to generate, modify, and recommend objects. Its products for anxiety and sleep allow users to learn to self-regulate their stress by allowing them to see their own EEG brain patterns or heart rate in real time. In 10 peer-reviewed journals, Healium has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety or improve mood in as little as four minutes. Visit tryhealium.com to start a free trial. Follow @HealiumXR on Meta, X, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. 

About Interaxon Inc. (Muse):

Muse is pioneering brain health through its industry-leading EEG platform, built on advanced AI algorithms. Muse spearheads decentralized research initiatives aimed at improving mental health, optimizing sleep, and advancing CNS drug and digital biomarker development. Muse’s AI-driven neurotech tools empowers researchers, developers, and consumers worldwide, and is underpinned by over 200 third-party led research studies from renowned institutions including the Mayo Clinic, NASA, and Harvard. Muse has collected and decoded over 1 billion minutes of brain data to-date, comprising the largest EEG collection in the world. Muse is headquartered in Toronto, Canada with wholly-owned subsidiaries in San Francisco-Bay, California.

Visit choosemuse.com for more information and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Stress has been proven to significantly contribute to anxiety, depression, cardiovascular diseases, and weakened immune function, making stress management techniques essential for maintaining overall health.

This blog explores how biofeedback can reduce stress, supported by statistics, research, and real-world examples, as well as how Healium integrates biofeedback into our virtual reality meditation sessions, offering a powerful tool for stress reduction.

Biofeedback is a technique that uses electronic monitoring to help individuals gain control over certain physiological functions. By measuring and providing real-time feedback on functions such as heart rate, brainwave activity, muscle tension, skin temperature, and more, biofeedback allows individuals to understand and modify their body’s responses to stress.

The Science Behind Biofeedback

Biofeedback operates on the principle that individuals can learn to control physiological processes that are typically involuntary. Through consistent practice and feedback, users can develop skills to manage their stress responses effectively. Research has shown biofeedback can lead to significant improvements in mental and physical health by enhancing self-regulation and promoting relaxation.

Healium incorporates these biofeedback methods into our virtual reality meditation sessions, allowing users to see biodata like their heart rate or brainwave activity in real time and make meaningful changes to reduce stress.

Naturally, there are many different forms of biofeedback, each of which can provide insight into different aspects of your body.

• Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback: This method monitors the variation in time between each heartbeat. HRV biofeedback helps individuals learn to regulate their heart rate, promoting relaxation and reducing stress.

• Electrodermal Activity (EDA) Biofeedback: EDA measures the electrical conductance of the skin, which changes with sweat gland activity. This method is useful for assessing stress and emotional arousal.

• Brainwave (EEG) Biofeedback: Also known as neurofeedback, this method monitors brainwave activity. By training the brain to produce specific patterns of brainwaves, individuals can help improve focus, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall mental well-being.

First and foremost, biofeedback helps individuals reduce stress by granting them awareness and control over their physiological responses. Electronic monitoring devices provide real-time feedback, which allows individuals to recognize how their body responds to certain stressors and then practice specific techniques to modify those responses. 

With consistent practice over time, this promotes relaxation and reduces stress levels, especially during those moments that had previously triggered a person’s fight or flight response. 

Biofeedback plays a crucial role in regulating the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary physiological functions. The ANS comprises the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), responsible for that ‘fight or flight’ response, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which promotes ‘rest and digest’ activities.

By learning to self-regulate physiological responses, individuals can shift the balance from SNS dominance to PNS activation, leading to reduced stress and enhanced relaxation​.

Healium integrates these biofeedback techniques by allowing users to visualize their brainwave or heart rate data in real-time and practice effective stress management strategies within peaceful virtual environments. This combination of biofeedback and immersive VR experience provides a powerful tool for reducing stress and enhancing overall well-being.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of biofeedback in reducing stress. These studies highlight significant decreases in stress markers and improvements in psychological outcomes.

1. Cortisol Levels and Blood Pressure: A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback found that participants who underwent HRV biofeedback training experienced a significant reduction in cortisol levels, a primary stress hormone. Blood pressure levels also decreased, indicating reduced physiological stress.

2. Anxiety and Psychiatric disorders: Research conducted on individuals suffering from psychiatric disorders indicated that treatment with biofeedback positively affected cognitive processes, mood, and anxiety levels. 

3. Overall Effectiveness: A meta-analysis on 14 published studies on biofeedback and stress reduction found that biofeedback improved both physiological and psychological indicators of stress. 

The practice of biofeedback can lead to improved coping mechanisms, enhanced relaxation skills, and long-term reductions in stress markers such as cortisol levels and blood pressure. With consistent use, biofeedback has been shown to improve both physiological and psychological well-being, making it an incredibly valuable addition to any stress management regimen.

Healium offers users a perfect stepping stone into the world of biofeedback by combining peaceful meditation sessions with data from your body’s electricity.

As you take in our experiences like basking in the sunset of the Swiss countryside or breathing in the natural beauty of the ocean, you see first hand how your body responds to various stimuli. With that awareness, you’re then given the agency to change those responses in the future.

Learn more about our product and how it can help you manage stress. See how it works below!

Take the first step towards better stress management with Healium – your path to a calmer, more balanced life. Get a free trial here.

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

As businesses face increasingly competitive environments, burnout and employee turnover are two of the most pressing issues in the modern workplace. The financial and operational costs of burnout and turnover affect everything from productivity to recruitment expenses. 

But how much, exactly, are burnout and turnover costing you? And how can you curtail their impact on your business? Healium’s blog aims to answer those very questions.

Research consistently shows a direct correlation between high levels of burnout and increased turnover rates. In fact, a study published by Gallup highlighted that employees who experience burnout at work are 2.6 times more likely to be actively seeking a different job. 

However, while one often leads to another, burnout and turnover each present a different set of costs for your business.

According to the Harvard Business Review, U.S. businesses lose between $125 billion to $190 billion annually in healthcare costs due to workplace burnout. Additionally, burnout can lead to a 50% increase in safety incidents and a 37% increase in absenteeism, which further elevates operational costs.

Beyond these direct costs, there are several indirect impacts that burnout can have on a business:

• Increased Error Rates: Employees suffering from burnout are less focused and more prone to making mistakes. This can lead to quality issues in services or products, potentially resulting in recalls or legal issues that can be costly.

• Decreased Customer Satisfaction: Burnout can diminish an employee’s ability to provide effective customer service. A lack of engagement or a negative attitude can lead to poor customer interactions, which in turn can damage the company’s reputation and lead to lost sales.

• Decreased Efficiency: The Gallup organization found that burned-out employees are 63% more likely to take a sick day and 13% less confident in their performance, which indirectly affects productivity and operational efficiency. 

• Company Reputation: High turnover rates and poor employee reviews often stem from widespread burnout, which can make it difficult to attract top talent. 

A business’s net loss from turnover, on the other hand, is much more concrete to measure. Whenever an employee leaves, your business faces expenses in the following areas:

All of these costs also fail to take into account the ripple effects of turnover that extend beyond mere dollars spent. For every employee lost, businesses also face:

1. Loss of Institutional Knowledge: When employees leave, they take their knowledge and experience with them, which can lead to gaps in the organization’s institutional memory.

2. Lowered Morale: High turnover can lead to decreased morale among remaining staff, who may feel overburdened or concerned about job security.

3. Disruption to Team Dynamics: New employees need time to integrate into teams, which can disrupt existing workflows and team chemistry.

Needless to say, burnout and turnover cost businesses dearly the longer the root cause of the issue goes unaddressed.

By addressing burnout and turnover, organizations can significantly enhance overall employee satisfaction and organizational health, as well as avoid the steep costs of each outlined above. 

The following list outlines key initiatives that businesses can adopt to mitigate these challenges effectively.

Mental Health Support

• Stress Management Tools: Get in front of burnout before it occurs by providing your employees the means to lower their stress levels. Mental health tools like Healium offer self-driven, meditative experiences that have been proven to lower anxiety in as little as four minutes. 

• Access to Counseling: Provide employees with easy access to mental health professionals through employee assistance programs (EAPs) or health insurance benefits.

• Mental Health Days: Encourage employees to take mental health  or days off to recuperate from stress without the stigma or need for a traditional sick note.

• Training for Managers: Equip managers with training to recognize signs of burnout and mental health struggles, enabling them to intervene appropriately and supportively.

Wellness Programs

• Regular Workshops: Host workshops on stress management, mindfulness, and healthy living to provide employees with tools to manage stress and enhance personal well-being.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Offer flexible working hours and the option for remote work to help employees balance their personal and professional lives, reducing stress and preventing burnout.

• Physical Wellness: Support physical health through subsidized gym memberships, organized sports activities, or on-site fitness classes.

Healium offers a unique solution to combat workplace stress and burnout by allowing users to actively engage with their mental health through immersive, calming experiences. These experiences have been clinically proven to work in as little as 4 minutes and can also optionally sync with biofeedback data, letting users see how they’re doing in real time.

See how it works below!

To explore how Healium can transform your organization’s approach to mental health and employee wellness, contact us today for a demonstration. Let us help you build a more resilient and happier workforce.

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

The concept of mental health days off from school has gained traction as of late, with proposals for essential breaks for students in order to address and manage their mental health needs. 

One cause for this momentum was the COVID-19 pandemic, which amplified existing academic and social pressures. This crisis, marked by increased reports of anxiety, depression, and emergency visits for mental health concerns, directly impacted students’ academic performance and overall well-being. 

Given the clear link between mental well-being and learning, mental health days are not just beneficial but necessary for students’ success and health. This approach is a critical step in supporting students, recognizing the vital role of mental health in education.

Prior to the pandemic, mental health challenges were already a concern; however, the onset of COVID-19 has led to an alarming increase in such cases. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found a 24% rise in emergency department visits for mental health concerns among children aged 5–11 and a 31% increase among those aged 12–17 when compared to the previous year. 

These statistics underscore a deepening crisis that demands immediate attention.

This compounded with the pressures of academic expectations and social dynamics, has created a perfect storm for mental health issues among students. The loss of normalcy and the ongoing uncertainty have not only affected students’ mental health but have also posed significant barriers to their ability to learn and engage fully in their educational journey. 

As such, the growing mental health crisis among students is not just a health issue but an educational one, calling for comprehensive strategies to support students’ mental and emotional well-being.

• Reducing Stigma: Allowing mental health days fosters a culture where discussing mental health openly is encouraged. This openness benefits students, parents, and educators alike, making mental well-being a shared priority.

• Prioritizing Mental Health: By equating mental health with physical health, schools send a clear message: mental well-being is crucial for student success. This recognition supports students’ overall health and encourages them to take necessary steps for their mental wellness.

• Boosting Academic Performance: Stress negatively impacts learning. The Mayo Clinic agrees that mental health days can reduce stress, leading to better academic outcomes. Students return to school more focused and ready to learn, improving retention and understanding.

• Early Intervention: Mental health days act as a safety net, offering early signs when a student might be struggling. This early detection can lead to timely support, preventing more significant issues and promoting long-term well-being.

By providing mental health days, schools can create a supportive environment that not only enhances academic success but also prioritizes the mental and emotional health of their students.

States across the U.S. are increasingly recognizing the mental health crisis among students through legislation. Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and Kentucky have already passed bills allowing students to take mental health days. This legislation varies by state but commonly treats mental health absences as valid and excused, much like sick days.

These laws underscore the growing understanding that mental well-being is as crucial as physical health for academic success. They aim to destigmatize mental health issues, provide students with necessary breaks for self-care, and acknowledge that optimal learning requires mental and emotional wellness.

Implementing mental health days effectively requires clear guidelines and equitable access for all students. Schools should outline when and how these days can be used, ensuring students understand this provision as part of their broader support system. Educators and parents play crucial roles, guiding students on how to use these days for genuine mental health recovery. This collaborative approach ensures mental health days fulfill their purpose: supporting students’ well-being and academic success.

Recognizing when to take a mental health day is crucial, but often harder than it sounds. It requires a level of honesty with yourself that many struggle with. If your state allows for mental health days, keep an eye out for the following key indicators:

• Overwhelming stress or anxiety that impedes daily activities.

• Persistent feelings of sadness, fatigue, or disinterest in usual activities.

• Physical symptoms of stress, such as headaches or stomach aches.

• A recent surge of emotional events, such as conflicts or losses

Maximizing the Benefit of Mental Health Days

Mental health days should not be spent catching up on homework or studying. The goal is to take a step back from academic pressures, allowing you or the student to return refreshed and with a clearer mind.

To ensure a mental health day effectively aids in a student’s recovery and well-being, consider the following activities:

• Engage in Relaxation Techniques: Practices like meditation, yoga, or deep-breathing exercises can help alleviate stress.

• Spend Time in Nature: A change of scenery, especially in natural settings, can boost mood and reduce anxiety.

• Pursue a Hobby: Encourage students to engage in activities they enjoy but often don’t have time for, such as reading, drawing, or playing an instrument.

• Stay Physically Active: Physical activity is a proven mood enhancer. Even a short walk can significantly impact mental well-being.

• Reflect and Plan: Use the time to reflect on stressors and plan coping strategies for when they return to school.

Prioritizing student mental health doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If offering mental health days is not an option, mental health breaks are. Healium helps students get much needed breaks by helping them escape and recharge, as well as coaching them through the much needed skills they need in learning to self-regulate their emotions. 

To learn more about how schools are integrating Healium, watch the video below!

•  Immediate Stress Relief: Healium offers quick, immersive escapes that can significantly lower stress levels in just a few minutes, making it a perfect activity for mental health days.

•  Skill Building: By using biofeedback, students learn how to control their stress and anxiety, equipping them with valuable skills they can use in and out of the classroom.

•  Accessibility: Healium’s VR experiences are designed to be easily accessible, requiring minimal setup and offering a variety of experiences suitable for everyone.

• Evidence-Based: Supported by research, Healium’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety and improving mood is a testament to its potential impact on students’ well-being.

Mental health days are a significant step forward in acknowledging the importance of mental well-being in educational success. By pairing these days with resources like Healium, schools can offer a more comprehensive support system that not only provides a break from stress but also teaches students how to manage their mental health proactively.

Provide your students with the tools to understand, manage, and improve their mental health with Healium. Together, we can create a supportive, resilient, and empowered generation ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.

Explore how Healium can transform mental health days from simple breaks to opportunities for growth and learning. 

Our team is here to show you how it works and answer any question you have. Contact us today!

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

Emotional regulation plays a pivotal role in students’ ability to focus, engage, and succeed academically. Yet, it’s often overlooked in traditional classroom settings. Enter the concept of calm corners—a revolutionary approach to emotional management and self-regulation within the four walls of a classroom. 

Calm corners are designated, thoughtfully designed spaces that offer students a place to pause, reflect, and recalibrate their emotions. Far from being a timeout spot, these areas are equipped with tools and resources aimed at empowering students to independently manage their emotional states. 

This strategy not only acknowledges the student’s emotional well-being but also equips them with the skills necessary for lifelong resilience and success.

The Philosophy Behind Calm Corners in Classrooms

Traditionally, the response to emotional outbursts or disruptive behavior was often punitive—timeouts and detentions being common. However, these methods don’t teach students how to manage their emotions or cope with stress. 

Calm corners emerge from the understanding that students need to be taught emotional regulation as a skill, much like reading or math. This philosophy pivots from punishment to empowerment, providing students with a space to learn about and practice self-regulation. 

It’s about recognizing emotions as natural and teaching students positive ways to handle them. This approach not only supports emotional growth but also fosters a more compassionate and understanding classroom environment.

The Benefits of Calm Corners for Students and Teachers

For Students:

• Improved Focus: By taking a moment to decompress and manage their emotions, students can return to their tasks with increased concentration and a clearer mind.

• Reduced Disruptive Behavior: Calm corners offer a proactive approach to managing emotional outbursts, reducing classroom disruptions and creating a more conducive learning environment.

• Empowerment: Students learn to recognize their emotional triggers and are equipped with tools to manage them, fostering a sense of control and resilience.

For Teachers:

• Enhanced Classroom Management: With fewer disruptions and a strategy in place for emotional regulation, teachers can maintain a smoother, more effective teaching flow.

• Positive Relationships: By supporting students in managing their emotions, teachers build trust and stronger connections with their students, enhancing the overall classroom atmosphere.

• Professional Satisfaction: Watching students develop emotional intelligence and self-regulation skills can be deeply rewarding, contributing to a teacher’s sense of accomplishment and job satisfaction.

The first step in creating a calm corner is selecting the right spot in your classroom. The ideal location meets three key criteria: accessibility, privacy, and supervision. A corner or space that is apart from high-traffic areas but within the teacher’s line of sight works best.

An effective calm corner is also equipped with resources and tools that cater to various sensory and emotional needs. Some frequently utilized items include:

• Fidget Toys: Offer a range of fidget toys to help students channel restless energy.

• Comfort Items: Include soft pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals for comfort.

• Breathing Guides: Use visuals or tools like pinwheels to encourage deep breathing exercises.

• Sensory Bins: Fill bins with sand, rice, or beads for tactile exploration.

• Visual Relaxation Prompts: Posters of nature scenes or calming patterns can provide visual distraction and relaxation.

• Emotion Cards: Help students identify and articulate their feelings with illustrated emotion cards.

• Quiet Activities: Provide books, puzzles, or coloring materials for solitary, calming activities.

Calm Corner Rules

To ensure the calm corner remains a supportive and effective space for emotional regulation, it’s crucial to establish clear guidelines. These rules are designed to maximize the benefits of the calm corner while maintaining the flow of classroom activities:

• Purpose: Clarify the calm corner is for self-regulation, not avoidance of class work.

• Time Limit: Set a reasonable duration for each visit to maintain its effectiveness.

• Usage Notification: Implement a simple system for students to indicate their need to use the space, minimizing class disruption.

Effective calm corners also require ongoing commitment and attention from the teacher themselves. When implementing a calm corner in your classroom, you should:

• Monitor Usage: Watch for patterns indicating the corner’s impact and any individual needs.

• Gather Feedback: Ask students what works or doesn’t, adjusting based on their experiences.

• Update Resources: Keep the space dynamic by refreshing with new tools and activities as needed.

• Adapt Rules: Be ready to tweak guidelines to fit changing classroom dynamics or student needs.

As we’ve explored the transformative impact of calm corners in fostering emotional regulation and resilience among students, it’s clear that the right tools and resources are key to their success. While calm corners are a fantastic start, incorporating advanced tools like Healium can take your classroom’s emotional wellness to the next level.

What is Healium?

Think of Healium as a virtual calm corner that teaches children how to down-shift their emotions from a heightened state into a relaxed state of calm. Healium offers a unique blend of mindfulness experiences and biofeedback technology, providing an immersive journey towards self-managed stress and anxiety relief.

Imagine a dedicated space in your school where students can not only pause and reflect but also engage with their emotional well-being in an interactive, impactful way. Healium has been embraced by educators and institutions worldwide, creating designated rooms that serve as advanced calm corners, where students can harness the power of their emotions and learn to navigate them with confidence.

Why Choose Healium for Your School?

• Engaging and Empowering: With its virtual reality capabilities, Healium offers an engaging way for students to learn about mindfulness and emotional regulation, making the concepts more accessible and impactful.

• Evidence-Based: Leveraging biofeedback, Healium provides real-time insights into one’s emotional state, offering a tangible way to measure and understand the effects of mindfulness practices.

•Versatile: Perfect for integration into existing calm corners or the creation of dedicated mindfulness spaces, Healium is versatile enough to suit various educational settings and needs.

To learn more about Healium’s impact in schools, watch the video below!

Take the First Step Towards a More Mindful Classroom

Are you ready to elevate your school’s approach to emotional well-being and mindfulness? 

Explore how Healium can transform your calm corners into immersive, empowering spaces for emotional growth and resilience. Join the growing community of educators who are making mindfulness an integral part of their teaching strategy. 

Contact us today to learn more about Healium and how it can benefit your students and school environment.

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion that occurs when caregivers do not receive the support they need, or when they try to do more than they are able—physically, emotionally, or financially. 

In the workplace, it’s characterized by a depletion of energy, a growing sense of disillusionment, and feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. As caregivers soldier on, neglecting their own mental health, the stress can lead to a burnout that not only affects their ability to provide care but also impacts their coworkers and their own quality of life.

According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, nearly one in every five adults in the United States is acting as a caregiver to someone with health or functional needs. They estimate that 53 million Americans provide unpaid care. These statistics tell a story of an urgent need for support and recognition of caregivers’ roles. It’s not just about the sheer volume of individuals affected but the profound impact caregiving has on their lives in the workplace and at home. 

Burnout can lead to serious health issues, including depression, anxiety, and physical illness, underscoring the need for preventative measures and support systems. This is just as crucial for employers as it is for employees, as preventing burnout is critical to maintaining productivity and reducing turnover. Implementing support systems and promoting work-life balance are key to fostering a healthier, more resilient workforce.

Professional and family caregivers face distinct experiences and challenges in their caregiving journeys. Professional caregivers are equipped with training and resources but grapple with the emotional and physical tolls of their roles. Family caregivers, on the other hand, often step into caregiving without formal preparation, balancing their duties with personal life responsibilities, and dealing with the added emotional weight of caring for a loved one. 

This divergence in experiences underscores the unique obstacles each group encounters.

Stage One: Stress

• Physical Symptoms: Headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and appetite changes.

• Emotional Symptoms: Feelings of worry, frustration, and being overwhelmed.

• Behavioral Symptoms: Snapping at others, procrastination, slight social withdrawal.

Caregiver burnout often begins with stress, a response to the demands and pressures of caregiving. Early signs of caregiver stress manifest as emotional and physical reactions to the challenges of daily caregiving. 

Caregivers may experience frustration and worry, feelings that are compounded by physical symptoms such as high blood pressure, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. This stage is marked by the caregiver’s increasing awareness of the burdens of their role, yet they might still feel capable of managing their responsibilities.

In team environments, this may mean increased tension and conflict among members, as caregivers struggle with their own limits while trying to meet the collective needs. It’s a critical time for support and intervention to prevent escalation into more serious stages of burnout.

Stage Two: Burnout

• Physical Symptoms: Chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal issues, weakened immune response.

• Emotional Symptoms: Detachment, depression, loss of pleasure in activities, hopelessness.

• Behavioral Symptoms: Social isolation, neglecting responsibilities, substance use for coping.

As the stress accumulates and coping mechanisms begin to falter, caregivers enter the burnout stage. This phase is characterized by a profound emotional and physical exhaustion that permeates the caregiver’s life. 

Symptoms become more pronounced, including significant changes in sleep patterns and appetite, social withdrawal, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness and inefficacy. Caregivers might find themselves less able to meet the demands of their role, feeling drained of the energy and motivation that once propelled them.

In the workplace, this often manifests as reduced productivity, absenteeism, and a noticeable decline in the quality of care provided. 

Stage Three: Compassion Fatigue

• Physical Symptoms: Profound exhaustion, significant sleep disruptions, serious health neglect.

• Emotional Symptoms: Emotional numbness, despair, secondary traumatic stress, decreased empathy.

• Behavioral Symptoms: Complete social withdrawal, avoidance of caregiving duties, cynicism towards care recipients.

In the most severe stage, caregivers experience compassion fatigue, a condition marked by a deep emotional numbness and a withdrawal of empathy towards the recipients of their care. 

This stage extends beyond the exhaustion of burnout to encompass symptoms such as a profound sense of hopelessness, secondary traumatic stress from empathetic engagement with the sufferer’s pain, and a significant decrease in the caregiver’s ability to feel and express empathy and patience. 

Compassion fatigue not only affects the caregiver’s mental and emotional health but also impairs their capacity to provide effective care, marking a critical need for intervention and support.

For patients, this could look like receiving care that is mechanically performed without genuine empathy, leading to a feeling of neglect and isolation. 

Effectively handling caregiver burnout involves strategic actions and self-awareness to ensure both the caregiver’s and the recipient’s well-being.

1. Ask for Help: Delegate tasks and share caregiving responsibilities with family, friends, or community services to lighten your load.

2. Set Realistic Goals: Acknowledge your limits, set achievable daily objectives, and accept that some days will be more challenging than others.

3. Utilize Community Resources: Seek out respite care, support groups, and adult day care programs for relief and support.

4. Prioritize Self-Care: Regularly engage in activities that promote your physical and mental health, such as exercise, hobbies, and adequate rest.

5. Recognize When It’s Time for a Change: Be open to exploring assisted living or professional care options when caregiving demands exceed your capacity.

6. Embrace Flexibility: Stay adaptable to changing needs and situations, adjusting your caregiving strategies as necessary.

By adopting these approaches, caregivers can mitigate the risk of burnout, ensuring they maintain their health and continue to provide compassionate care.

Caregivers shoulder immense responsibilities, which comes at the expense of their team, their business, and their own well-being. Healium’s VR meditation tool is here to change that narrative. 

Healium provides caregivers a much-needed escape to refresh their mindset by harnessing the power of virtual reality and biofeedback. It’s not just a tool; it’s a companion in the journey of caregiving.

Why Choose Healium for Caregiver Burnout?

• Stress Reduction: Healium offers immersive experiences that can significantly lower stress levels, providing instant relief in moments of overwhelm.

• Emotional Resilience: Through biofeedback, caregivers can learn to control their emotional responses, enhancing their resilience in the face of daily challenges.

• Accessible Self-care: Designed for ease of use, Healium makes self-care accessible, allowing caregivers to find moments of peace amidst their busy schedules.

• Evidence-Based: Backed by research, Healium’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety and improving overall mood equips caregivers with a trusted ally in their wellness journey.

Want to learn more? Watch the video below to see how Healium works!

Discover the difference Healium can make in your life as a caregiver. Contact us today to learn more about how our VR meditation tool can help you manage stress, prevent burnout, and restore your sense of well-being.

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

Caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue, while overlapping in some aspects, are distinct conditions with unique symptoms, onset times, and causes. If you’re wondering whether you or someone on your team is experiencing caregiver burnout or compassion fatigue, read on to learn the difference. 

Caregiver burnout emerges from the long-term accumulation of stress associated with caregiving. It’s the weariness that comes not from a single day’s effort but from months or years of providing care without sufficient breaks or support.

Often, caregivers put the health and well-being of their loved ones above their own, neglecting personal health, skipping medical appointments, and sacrificing their mental peace. This self-neglect, coupled with the constant demand of caregiving tasks, paves the way for burnout.

Caregiver burnout can creep up silently, often mistaken for mere tiredness. However, its symptoms are more profound and lasting:

• Emotional and Physical Exhaustion: Caregivers feel drained, unable to recharge despite rest.

•Social Withdrawal: There’s a noticeable retreat from social interactions, even with close friends or family.

• Loss of Interest: Activities that once brought joy no longer appeal, leading to a disinterest in hobbies and leisure.

These signs indicate a deep-seated fatigue that goes beyond physical tiredness, affecting their ability to perform well at work.

On the other hand, compassion fatigue is an acute condition that manifests from the emotional burden of caring for individuals in suffering. Unlike burnout, which develops over time, compassion fatigue can occur suddenly, triggered by the intense emotional connections formed with the care recipient.

The root of compassion fatigue lies in the caregiver’s deep empathy for the person they are caring for. Witnessing and sharing in the suffering of another, especially over an extended period, can lead to a direct emotional impact. This empathetic engagement, while a testament to the caregiver’s compassion, can become overwhelming, leading to compassion fatigue.

Compassion fatigue, while related to burnout, manifests more acutely:

• Emotional Exhaustion: A profound tiredness that feels more emotional than physical, often striking suddenly.

• Feelings of Dread or Guilt: Caregivers may experience an overwhelming sense of foreboding about their caregiving duties or guilt for not doing enough.

• Irritability: A short temper or irritability, especially out of character, can be a sign.

• Difficulty Sleeping: Despite exhaustion, falling or staying asleep becomes challenging.

• Self-Isolation: Pulling away not just from activities but also from emotional connections, leading to isolation.

These symptoms highlight the emotional toll of caregiving, where empathy and emotional engagement lead to a unique form of exhaustion.

While both conditions demand attention, their management strategies may differ, underscoring the importance of tailored approaches to support caregivers effectively. Recognizing whether one is experiencing burnout or compassion fatigue is the first step towards seeking appropriate help and resources.

For Caregiver Burnout

1. Establishing Boundaries: Define clear limits on what you can and cannot do as a caregiver. Setting these boundaries helps manage your workload and prevents overload.

2. Seeking Support: Don’t hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or caregiving communities. Support groups can also offer advice and understanding from those in similar situations.

3. Utilizing Respite Care: Take regular breaks by using respite care services. These services provide temporary relief, allowing you to rest and recharge.

4. Maintaining Personal Health and Wellness: Prioritize your health by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep. Regular check-ups with your doctor can also prevent health issues from developing or worsening.

For Compassion Fatigue

1. Recognizing Triggers: Identify situations or emotions that heighten your stress. Awareness of these triggers can help you prepare and cope more effectively.

2. Practicing Self-Care: Engage in activities that promote mental and physical well-being. This could include meditation, reading, or hobbies that relax and fulfill you.

3. Finding Professional Counseling: Speaking with a therapist can provide strategies to manage stress and cope with the emotional challenges of caregiving.

4. Engaging in Activities That Replenish Emotional Reserves: Allocate time for activities that make you feel connected to yourself and others. Socializing, nature walks, or pursuing a passion can help restore your emotional energy.

Healium: Your Ally Against Burnout and Compassion Fatigue

Caregiving requires more than just resilience; it requires support. Healium offers caregivers a unique way to recharge, find peace, and regain strength, through its immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences powered by biofeedback.

Why Integrate Healium into Your Caregiving Routine?

For Employers:

• Support Work-Life Balance: Offer Healium as part of your wellness benefits to help employees manage the stress of caregiving alongside their work commitments, promoting a healthier work-life balance.

• Enhance Workplace Morale: By acknowledging the challenges of caregiving and providing tools like Healium, employers can boost workplace morale and show genuine care for their employees’ well-being.

• Reduce Absenteeism and Turnover: Access to stress-relief tools such as Healium can help reduce absenteeism and turnover by addressing one of the root causes of workplace dissatisfaction and burnout.

• Cultivate a Resilient Workforce: Equip your employees with the tools to build emotional resilience, making them more adept at handling both personal and professional challenges, ultimately leading to a more robust and productive workforce.

For Caregivers:

• Immediate Relief: Healium provides an immediate escape from the stressors of caregiving, offering experiences that soothe the mind and reduce tension.

• Build Emotional Resilience: By engaging with biofeedback meditation, caregivers can learn to control their stress responses, enhancing their emotional resilience and ability to cope with the challenges of caregiving.

• Accessible Anytime: Designed for ease and convenience, Healium can be integrated into any daily routine, providing support whenever and wherever it’s needed.

• Research-Backed: With evidence supporting Healium’s effectiveness in reducing anxiety and improving mood as part of a health lifestyle, Healium stands as a proven ally in the fight against caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue.

To learn more about how Healium works, watch the video below!

Contact us today to experience the transformative power of Healium. Discover how this innovative tool can become an integral part of your strategy to combat caregiver burnout and compassion fatigue, helping you maintain your well-being while fulfilling your caregiving duties.

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

Emotions color every aspect of our lives, yet understanding and managing them can often seem impossible. This guide is designed to offer research-backed, insightful, and empathetic guidance to help you recognize, feel, and manage your emotions effectively.

Emotions are not just fleeting feelings; they are vital signals from our body and mind. Scientific research has shown that emotions evolved as survival mechanisms, aiding in decision-making, indicating our needs, and fostering connections with others. 

•  Signal of Threat or Reward: Emotions like fear or joy act as immediate signals of potential danger or benefit, triggering the fight-or-flight response which prepares our bodies for appropriate action.

•  Motivational Drivers: Certain emotions motivate us to take action. For example, anger can motivate us to address injustices, while love can inspire us to nurture our relationships.

•  Decision-Making Guides: Emotions often help us make decisions when rational thinking alone is insufficient. They can provide a gut feeling or intuition about what is right or wrong in a given situation.

•  Regulators of Social Behavior: Emotions help regulate our social behavior, ensuring that we act in socially acceptable ways. Guilt, for example, can prevent us from doing something that may hurt others.

•  Enhancers of Memory and Learning: Emotional experiences tend to leave stronger memories, aiding in learning and recall. This is why emotionally charged events are often more memorable.

At Healium, we’ve produced a meditation app that syncs with biofeedback devices like the Brainlink Lite EEG Headband so that you can actually see your feelings as they arise. Your feelings take the shape of brainwave data that is overlaid on top of VR meditation experiences, finally giving you the agency to see, feel, and even influence your own feelings and brain patterns. 

Ignoring or suppressing our emotions doesn’t make them disappear. In fact, studies have shown that this can lead to increased stress, physical health issues, and long-term mental health problems. 

•  Increased Negative Emotions and Stress: Chronic emotional suppression can lead to intensified negative emotions and heightened stress levels.

•  Physical Health Impacts: Ongoing emotional suppression can disrupt emotional harmony, potentially leading to physical health issues.

•  Increased Risk of Premature Death: Habitual bottling up of emotions is linked with a higher risk of premature death.

•  Influence on Mental Health: Suppression of emotions can exacerbate symptoms of mental health conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder in specific contexts.

1) Identify Your Emotions

Begin by identifying and naming your emotions as they arise. Labeling emotions can calm the brain and body, helping in emotional regulation. Naming an emotion creates a psychological distance, allowing you to understand it without being overwhelmed.

•  How to Do It: Take deep breaths to center yourself, and then articulate what you’re feeling. Use phrases like “I feel [emotion]” or “This is [emotion]”. This practice affirms that while you experience the emotion, it does not define you.

2) Observe and Acknowledging Your Emotions

Practice observing your emotions without judgment. Mindfulness exercises and body scanning can be powerful tools for connecting with the physical sensations that accompany your emotional states. These exercises also help in recognizing the transient nature of emotions, reducing their intensity and impact.

•  How to Do It: Engage in mindfulness or meditation exercises where you focus on your emotions objectively. Notice where in your body you feel these emotions and describe the sensations without attaching any narrative to them. If you’re using Healium with an EEG headband your aura will likely glow green during this process.

3) Understand the Message Behind Your Emotions

Reflect on the messages or needs conveyed by your emotions. Emotions often signal unmet needs or values. Understanding this can lead to more effective emotional management. Reflective practices help you understand what your emotions are trying to tell you, whether it’s a need for rest, connection, or perhaps setting a boundary.

•  How to Do It: Use reflective techniques like journaling to explore the root causes of your emotions. Ask yourself what these feelings might be indicating about your needs, desires, or boundaries.

4) Process and Releasing Emotions

Once you’ve identified and understood your emotion, find healthy ways to process and release it. Processing emotions in a healthy way prevents them from being bottled up, which can lead to increased stress and anxiety. This might involve creative expression, physical activity, or relaxation techniques like deep breathing or visualization.

•  How to Do It: Engage in activities that allow for emotional expression, such as creative arts, physical exercise, or talking with a trusted person. Techniques like deep breathing, visualization, or progressive muscle relaxation can also aid in releasing these emotions.

Integrating emotion-focused practices into your daily life involves creating routines and habits that foster emotional awareness and processing. This commitment can significantly enhance emotional well-being over time.

Start by setting aside a few minutes each day for mindfulness or reflection, allowing yourself to check in with your emotions. Incorporating activities like journaling, meditation, or even simple breathing exercises can be effective. 

How Healium Helps Feel Your Feelings

Healium is a VR meditation app that lets you see your feelings as biofeedback data throughout the experience. This combination is especially powerful because it grants you the agency to not only feel and recognize your feelings in a tangible way, but also to self-regulate and influence those emotions moving forward.

Using an EEG headband, our experience overlays your brainwaves onto each meditation experience. As you go through the meditation, the experience itself adjusts if your brainwaves fall out of an acceptable range, making Healium an effective way to practice neurofeedback at home. 

To learn more about how Healium works, watch the video below!

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

For many, the mere thought of getting behind the wheel triggers a cascade of worry and fear. Driving anxiety is not just about being a little nervous; it’s a profound and often paralyzing fear that can significantly hinder one’s independence and quality of life. 

This blog aims to provide research-backed, empathetic advice for those looking to reclaim their confidence on the road.

Driving anxiety is an intense, often overwhelming fear associated with driving. A study conducted by Megan E. Hempel and colleagues at Massey University, New Zealand, highlighted that 20% of young older adults experience mild driving anxiety, while 6% report moderate to severe levels. 

While driving anxiety varies in severity from person to person, common symptoms include a rapid heart rate, sweating, trembling, or feelings of impending doom. 

A study led by Antonio R. Hidalgo-Muñoz at the University of Toulouse found that panic attacks and criticisms are prevalent triggers of driving anxiety. Traumatic memories of past accidents can lead to persistent fear, as can mental health conditions like Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). However, sometimes the mere fear of losing control is enough to make drivers hyper-aware and stressed. 

The first step in overcoming driving anxiety is approaching your fear with patience and compassion. Understand that anxiety is a natural response, and it’s okay to feel apprehensive about driving. 

Building a strong, supportive foundation involves both mental preparation and lifestyle adjustments to help manage your anxiety levels effectively.

•  Mental Preparation: Begin by acknowledging your fear without judgment. Reflect on your anxiety triggers and try to understand their roots. This understanding can be a powerful tool in addressing your fear constructively.

•  Lifestyle Changes: Integrating lifestyle changes such as a regular exercise regimen can have a profound impact on your overall anxiety levels. Exercise not only promotes physical health but also releases endorphins, chemicals in your brain that act as natural painkillers and mood elevators. 

Techniques to Calm Driving Anxiety

Armed with a solid foundation, you can employ various practical techniques to manage and eventually overcome your driving anxiety.

•  Relaxation Exercises: Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness meditation can be incredibly effective in calming your mind before and during driving. By focusing on your breath or progressively relaxing different muscle groups, you can anchor yourself in the present and reduce anxiety.

•  Visualization: Practice visualizing yourself driving confidently and calmly. This mental rehearsal can help build a sense of control and peace over the situation. Imagine the steps you would take, from starting the car to navigating roads and parking, all while maintaining a calm and confident demeanor.

•  Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to reinforce your ability to drive safely and calmly. Phrases like, “I am in control,” “I am a confident driver,” and “I can handle the road,” can be powerful in maintaining a positive and calm mindset while driving. Repeat these affirmations daily or whenever you feel your anxiety beginning to rise.

Seeking Professional Support

If self-help techniques aren’t enough, consider seeking professional help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are proven methods for treating anxiety, including driving anxiety.

•  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a highly effective form of therapy for treating anxiety disorders, including driving anxiety. It works by helping you identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors, replacing them with more positive and realistic ones.

•  Exposure Therapy: This involves gradual, controlled exposure to the source of your fear—in this case, driving. Under the guidance of a professional, you’ll slowly build up your tolerance to driving-related anxiety triggers, reducing your fear over time.

•  Professional Counseling: A licensed therapist or counselor can provide personalized support and strategies tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. They can also offer support for any underlying issues that may be contributing to your driving anxiety.

Overcoming driving anxiety is a journey, often requiring time, patience, and the right strategies. While the goal isn’t to eliminate anxiety entirely, managing it effectively is both achievable and empowering. To that end, Healium could be the perfect solution for you. 

Healium combines the power of your brainwaves with virtual reality meditation experiences to grant users agency over their feelings of stress and anxiety. Each experience is tailored to calm your mind, but when combined with an EEG headband, users can even begin to self-regulate the brain patterns associated with anxiety. This drugless solution has been proven to reduce feelings of anxiety in as little as four minutes. 

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.

Do you often find yourself staring at the clock at 3 AM, wondering why you’re awake? This experience, known as middle insomnia, is more common than you might think and can be incredibly frustrating. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons behind this sleep disturbance and provide practical steps to help you find restful sleep again.

Middle insomnia, a disruption in your sleep cycle, can be influenced by your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This rhythm dictates your sleep-wake cycle, and when it’s disrupted, it can result in waking up at unexpected times of the night, like 3 AM.

Middle insomnia can stem from a variety of sources, ranging from psychological to physical and environmental factors. Experts suggest that stress, hormonal changes, or even diet can directly or indirectly impact your body’s internal clock. 

Psychological Factors

•  Stress and Anxiety: Stress can make you tired to begin with, but it can also prevent you from achieving a full night’s sleep. When you’re stressed or anxious, your mind becomes hyperactive, making it difficult to maintain deep sleep. The brain continues to process thoughts and emotions at a high rate, leading to potential disruptions in your sleep cycle.

•  Mental Health Conditions: Conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders can significantly affect sleep quality and patterns. These conditions often involve rumination and excessive worry, which can awaken you from sleep.

Physical Issues

• Hormonal Imbalances: Fluctuations in hormones, such as cortisol, the stress hormone, or estrogen and progesterone in women, can disturb sleep. For instance, changes in estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle or menopause can lead to sleep disturbances.

•  Digestive Problems: Issues like acid reflux or indigestion can cause discomfort or pain, awakening you in the middle of the night. Eating too close to bedtime can exacerbate these issues, leading to disrupted sleep.

•  Sleep Disorders: Conditions such as sleep apnea, where breathing stops and starts throughout the night, can cause you to wake up suddenly. Restless leg syndrome is another condition that can interrupt sleep by causing uncomfortable sensations in the legs.

Environmental Factors

•  Noise and Light Pollution: Unexpected noises from traffic, neighbors, or even a partner’s snoring can jolt you awake. Similarly, excessive light from streetlights, electronic devices, or even a full moon can interfere with your sleep cycle.

•  Bed Comfort and Temperature: An uncomfortable mattress, pillows, or a bedroom that is too hot or too cold can prevent you from falling or staying asleep. The ideal sleeping environment should be cool, quiet, and dark.

Achieving better sleep is a holistic process that involves both the mind and the body.These techniques help create a tranquil state of mind and a relaxed body, conducive to falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night. 

Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools for calming a restless mind. By focusing on the present moment and observing thoughts and feelings without judgment, you can reduce the mental chatter that often prevents sleep.

Regular practice of mindfulness or meditation has been shown to decrease the time it takes to fall asleep and increase the quality of sleep by reducing stress levels, lowering heart rate, and promoting a state of relaxation.

At Healium, we combine the power of mindfulness meditations with biofeedback that measures your body’s electricity in the form of either brainwaves or heart rate. This real-time data trains your brain and heart so you can self-manage your anxiety, focus, and sleep. 

•  How to Practice: Begin with just a few minutes each night before bed. Find a comfortable, quiet space and focus on your breath or a mantra. Acknowledge any thoughts that arise and gently redirect your attention back to your focus point.

When using Healium, specifically, you’ll use your brainwave data to actively influence each meditation session. This data is represented as a glowing aura that changes color with your brainwaves, a Healium score after each session, and brain pattern data in your data dashboard.

Breathing Exercises

Deep, controlled breathing exercises can have an immediate relaxing effect on the body. They help to lower stress hormone levels, reduce blood pressure, and prepare the body for sleep.

One popular method is the 4-7-8 technique, where you breathe in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and exhale slowly for 8 seconds. This pattern can quickly induce a state of calmness.

•  How to Practice: Incorporate breathing exercises into your bedtime routine. Practicing in a quiet, dimly lit environment can enhance the relaxation effect and signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR)

PMR is a technique that involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body. This can help highlight areas of tension and promote overall relaxation.

By systematically working through the body, PMR can reduce physical discomfort, one of the common barriers to falling asleep. It’s particularly useful for those with insomnia attributed to physical stress or discomfort.

•  How to Practice: Start from your toes and work your way up to your head, tensing each muscle group for a few seconds, then releasing. Focus on the sensation of relaxation in each part of the body.

At Healium, we’ve developed an application specifically catered to improve your sleep quality through meditation. By combining virtual reality, neurofeedback devices, and sleep meditation experiences, Sleepium provides users with an actionable means to achieve better sleep.

Our virtual experiences have not only been proven to reduce anxiety in as little as four minutes, they’re also specifically designed to help you learn to self-regulate the brain patterns that elicit anxiety to begin with. 

To learn more about how Healium works, watch the video below!

About the Author

Sarah Hill, a former interactive TV news journalist at NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates in Missouri, gained recognition for pioneering interactive news broadcasting using Google Hangouts. She is now the CEO of Healium, the world’s first biometrically powered VR channel, helping those with stress, anxiety, insomnia, and other struggles through biofeedback storytelling. With patents, clinical validation, and over seven million views, she has reshaped the landscape of immersive media.