As a busy mom and tech executive, I'm no stranger to the juggling act of managing work, family, and personal time. So when I heard about the FocusCalm EEG headband, a device promising to help find calm amidst the chaos, I was intrigued. Could this piece of tech really help me navigate the storm of work meetings, school drop-offs, and never-ending laundry? I decided to put it to the test for a month, and here's my honest experience. Here's the post where it all started if you want to catch up.
The 15-Minute Daily Challenge
One of the things I immediately appreciated about the FocusCalm was the 15-minute daily challenge. As someone who's constantly juggling a million things, finding even 15 minutes of "me time" can feel like a Herculean task. But with the FocusCalm, I found it surprisingly doable. Whether it was while waiting for my morning coffee to brew, during my lunch break, or just before bed, I was able to squeeze in my daily challenge. It was like a mini oasis of calm in my otherwise hectic day. Picture this: me, sitting quietly in the corner of my kitchen, eyes closed, headband on, while my kid runs around me like a mini tornado. It's a sight to behold!
The Not-So-Daily Challenge
Now, I have to admit, despite my best intentions, I didn't always remember to do my daily challenge. Between work deadlines, parent-teacher meetings, and the occasional forgotten lunchbox, some days it just slipped my mind. This is where I think the FocusCalm could benefit from some gamification. Maybe some kind of streak counter or daily reminders? Anything to give that extra nudge on those days when my brain feels like it's running on fumes. I mean, if my phone can remind me to drink water, surely it can remind me to calm my mind, right?
Meditations and Games Galore
One of the things I really enjoyed about the FocusCalm was the variety of meditations and games. They have categories for relief, performance, and wellness, so there's something for every mood. And the games? So much fun! There's one where you focus on a campfire to roast marshmallows. The calmer and more focused you are, the faster the marshmallows toast. I mean, who knew mindfulness could be so deliciously rewarding? It's like a virtual camping trip in the comfort of your own home. And let me tell you, there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of perfectly toasting a virtual marshmallow after a long day.
The Connection Conundrum
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: connecting the device to my phone. As a tech executive, I'm no stranger to troubleshooting tech gear. But this was, without a doubt, the trickiest part of my FocusCalm experience. There were days when, no matter what I did, I just couldn't get the thing to connect. I tried everything: restarting my phone, restarting the device, reinstalling the app. Nothing worked. Until one day, I tried charging the device, and voila! It connected. And to boot, the device requires regular charging. Even when turned off if I go a day or so without charging it fails to connect. But even with a fully charged device, I sometimes had trouble positioning it on my forehead in a way that it was fully detectable. I mean, I know my ears are a bit misaligned (my sunglasses never sit straight on my head), but who knew it would affect my EEG headband experience?
The Verdict
So, after a month of using the FocusCalm, what's my verdict? I'd say it's a thumbs up. Despite the connection hiccups and my not-so-perfect track record with the daily challenge, I've enjoyed using it. I haven't noticed any of the purported benefits yet, but I'm hopeful. I plan to get more rigorous about using it and give it more time. After all, Rome wasn't built in a day, and I suspect my mindfulness muscles won't be either.
So, if you're a busy mom or a tech executive (or both, like me), and you're looking for a fun and manageable way to add some calm and focus to your day, give the FocusCalm a try. Just remember to charge it, position it just right, and maybe set a reminder for your daily challenge. And who knows? You might just find yourself roasting virtual marshmallows by a calm, serene campfire amidst the chaos of your day. Now, if only it could do something about that laundry...
Leave a comment