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Does life seem to be getting more and more hectic these days? Between emails, social media updates, personal commitments and work, it can be hard to catch your breath. Taking time to chill out and relax is crucial to a healthy lifestyle and for your personal wellbeing. To that end, we have compiled a list of five websites that will help you better connect with your inner zen. So take a deep breath, relax and simply chill out.
1. CALM.COM
WHAT A guided relaxation website that will put your mind at ease.
HOW Calm.com allows you to select the duration of your guided session - 2, 10 or 20 minutes. Once you click to start, a narrated meditation begins - walking you through relaxation techniques.
PLUS Depending on your mood, you can select various scenic backgrounds from cornfields to waterfalls, complete with sounds from the world of nature.
MOBILE APP Calm.com for iPhone
WEBSITE http://www.calm.com/
2. THE QUIET PLACE PROJECT
WHAT A tool for find and connecting with your quiet place for 30 seconds.
HOW The quiet place plays relaxing instrumental music as you gently click through humorous instructions that urge you take a break from all the chatter - with an emphasis on social media and telephones. The countdown begins and you are provided with 30 seconds of serenity.
PLUS The thoughts room allows you to write about whatever is on your mind. As you type your thoughts, worries or concerns into the thoughts box, you see them disappear and evaporate into the background of a night’s sky - visualizing a mental process of purging.
MOBILE APPS quiet place for Android, quiet place for iPhone
WEBSITE http://thequietplaceproject.com/thequietplace
3. DO NOTHING FOR 2 MINUTES
WHAT This site challenges you to do absolutely nothing for two minutes.
HOW The simple platform consists of a screen filled with an endless sea and sky and the sounds of crashing waves in the background. The clock starts at two minutes - the length of time you have for relaxation, listening to the calming splash of water. The trick? You really should do nothing. The second you touch your mouse or keyboard, the clock starts over at two minutes.
PLUS A touch of comical gamifciation: a fail sign appears as soon as you move your mouse or touch your keyboard, causing the clock to restart.
WEBSITE http://www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
4. HEADSPACE
WHAT This site is dedicated to living a calmer life through the practice of meditation.
HOW Headspace is focused on integrating meditation into your daily life, no matter how busy things get. Offering a free trial of ten minutes of meditation for ten days, users will enter a chiller state of mind as they receive guided meditations and techniques.
PLUS Headspace is helmed by Andy Puddicombe, a Buddhist monk and clinical meditation consultant. The website hosts a blog full of articles and advice, as well as a community section where fellow Headspace users can interact.
MOBILE APPS Headspace for Android, Headspace for iPhone
WEBSITE http://www.getsomeheadspace.com/
5. SIMPLY NOISE
WHAT A free color noise generator that soothes and relaxes.
HOW The site offers different colored noises that are based on an audio spectrum of low to high frequencies. White, pink and brown noises are featured with each color representing a different sound and calming effect. White is useful for preventing distractions, pink sounds like a relaxing waterfall and brown can be helpful for sleeping and alleviating migraines. The volume knob allows you to control the sound or you can choose the oscillation button which automatically varies the volume from low to high.
PLUS SimplyNoise has a new app called SimplyRain which sounds like a cozy rainy day, and even has the option of adding thunder.
MOBILE APPS SimplyNoise for Android, SimplyNoise for iPhone
WEBSITE http://simplynoise.com/
