emWave Personal Stress Reliever
March 20, 2010 by admin
Filed under Stress Products
| Brand: | HeartMath | ||
| Average Rating |
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emWave® Personal Stress Reliever®
There is always a price to pay for achieving anything. Our entire modern society is definitely experiencing that through the various stress and tension brought about by modern living. While the benefits are obvious and tremendous, the downside could also be very troubling, especially as it mainly affects the health. It is therefore no surprise that through this same modern living, the key to fighting all the stressful events and situations is achieved, and that is through the emWave Personal Stress Reliever.
The emWave Personal Stress Reliever was developed to be used in increasing the coherence and recovery from stressful episodes or events, accumulate energy and stay in the flow, increasing access to creativity, balancing the emotions when the nerves feel frayed, create much-needed energy when you there are deadlines and there is the feeling of not being able to actually make it, prepare for daily events meetings, communications, tasks, appointments and commutes.
This exciting new stress reliever trains you to achieve a higher level of coherence, a scientifically measurable state. It is characterized by increased order and harmony in our psychological (mental and emotional) processes and also in the physiological (bodily) processes. Careful research shows that when we activate this state, our physical systems function more efficiently, allowing for experiencing greater emotional stability and an increased gain in mental clarity and improved cognitive function. Using emWave’s patented technology monitors the subtle beat-to-beat changes in your heart rhythms and determines the level of coherence found in these rhythms.
The emWave is not just another stress reliever that does not work as it is strictly based on hard science and incorporates the same patented HRV measurement and coherence scoring process found in the Freeze-Framer Interactive Learning System, HeartMath’s award winning PC based product that is being used by tens of thousands of people in over 50 countries.
There are very few moments in this hectic, almost chaotic modern world that could be considered conducive to proper relaxation and rest. With the emWave Personal Stress Reliever, that is no longer a problem, as it offers a simple and convenient way to solve all the problems related to stress, tension, and anxiety. more info
emWave Personal stress Reliever
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I purchased this for my boyfriend. He has a high stress job and seems to help him focus more. He uses it at and after work and finds he has a hard time keeping it out of the red which makes him focus more on calming his mind. I think it helps because it becomes a challange he is going to conquer which most of us strive for.
Nothing but lights
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
Having had some experience with professional biofeedback, I found the emWave to be nothing more than synchronizing my breathing to the lights.It did make me breathe deeper and slower but sometimes I tensed up just trying to make my inhalation/exhalation last as long as the light. I sent it back.
Don’t waste your money on this
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
I am very disappointed in this product. It is supposed to measure stress levels and help you control your breathing to reduce the stress. Then, the lights change from red (stressed) to blue (stress has been reduced). However, it doesn’t matter what I do, when I start the “stress reliever,” it shows red stressed, then within a few minutes whether I am properly breathing or not, stressed or not, the lights change to blue. If I try again within seconds, it shows red-stressed, then changes to blue. I decided to test this on my kids (ages 3 & 5). They are NOT stressed and I get the same result with them. It starts at red, then changes to blue within a couple of minutes. This product appears to be a useless waste of money. I am irritated that I didn’t return it and am now stuck with it. I am also irritated that I “fell for” this product. With so many high ratings, I’m wondering why so many people like this product. I could make a list of all the things I am stressed about……while NOT properly breathing with this stress reliever…..and it will still indicate my stress has been properly reduced to blue. Don’t waste your money on this.
It works, but don’t expect immediate gratification.
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
As we all know, there’s a lot of electronic device hyperbole out there, but this little gadget actually seems to work as described to gradually help diminish stress. People with short attention spans who expect immediate gratification are going to be disappointed, however. It’s not an electric can opener, folks, it’s an interactive stress relieving device, and you have to read the directions, take your time, and expect gradual improvement !
Getting started with the basic breathing exercise, which you do in time with the moving lights, is easy and encouraging, however, and the pulse indicator works quite well. To use it, you either place your thumb on the single plastic button, or choose to attach the included sensor clip to your ear. Next, you breathe in as the blue lights run up the scale and then out as they run back down, while thinking happy thoughts. After a few sessions, you’ll feel like your stress has melted away and be ready for the more advanced levels.
It’s like electronic yoga, without the positions ! (I think it also helps if you’re in an environment free of distractions and play your favorite soothing music.)
Overall, I think this is a great little device that works as advertised. Of course there are a few negatives. It is fairly pricey, but you can get a steep discount and free shipping from Amazon, which helps a lot. Also, it’s one of those “one-button” devices that looks elegant, but you’ll find yourself often with your nose in the manual in order to figure out how to do multiple functions with that one button. I guess one would gradually learn how to use this control, but me, I like dedicated buttons for functions that I have to use frequently. Another negative is the imbedded battery, which can’t be changed by the user. Millions of I-pod users don’t seem to mind this, but no rechargable battery lasts forever, not even Lithium-Ion, and the factory is going to charge you most of a Ben Franklin bill to change it for you some day.
Nitpicks aside, though, it works….. so go ahead, get one of these little beauties and put some sitar music on the stereo. Ommmmmmmmmmmmm !
More for fun than anything
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I bought this to tell me if I was stressed. I was. But then I brought it to work and we all used it. We would mention certain people and it would go red. We had a lot of fun with it. I would say that unless you are a practioner it probably isn’t worth the money.
Easiest Stress Device
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have used Resperate, Mindspa, Proteus, and Thoughtstream for stress reduction and relaxation. All of these devices work very well, if used regularly. Plus, these devices give you more value for your money.
Even though The Emwave is way over priced for what is does, it is the easiest and most convenient to use. You can carry it in your purse or shirt pocket and use it for a few minutes any time. The other devices demand more of your time because they involve headphones, chest straps, and or glasses.
By disgarding the ear clip and putting Emwave on silent, I can use it anywhere several times a day, without removing it from the leather case. Thus, It has brought me the most success in the least amount of time. By using the device on advance mode, I can get real time feedback and excellent results in less than five minutes.
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Works great!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought the emWave for my husband. It is really easy to use, and has helped him to relax after work and sleep better.
Free Shipping
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
It said that there was a special discount on the item, which when clicking on said if you spent more than $100 on qualifying purchases I would receive free shipping but then when I entered the promotional code, it said no promotion was available so I ended up paying over $12 for shipping. It wouldn’t have been as bad if they didn’t tell me that I was going to get free shipping.
practically useful.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I have found using this device to actually transform difficult emotions in “real time”.
I am not saying this is the only way to do it, or that one should not use other means.
Because this technique IS NOT based on intepretive-cognitive skills, it works on the very “primitive”, “fast-track” bodily responses, which cognitive skills are not so useful in handling, in real-time, at least from my experience, since often the strong reactions are not only processed through the reasoning cortex.
That’s why this device that monitors the physiological reactions can really address the affect of feeling, and it does the job well.
Neat tool
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This is a good way to motivate yourself to practice simple and brief meditation. It’s a good tool to see what thoughts generate stress and which ones generate relaxation. A little pricey, though, but worth it.
Just a little stress relever.
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This emWave give s me stress relieve and energy to make it through the day or night shift. I do custodial work and I mostly work night so it helps me stress out and work faster. I am still learning how to use it. But I do like the way it works.
An excellent product
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This little gadget is quite sophisticated while being practical at the same time. Use it daily three or four times a day and you will be inspired by the different it can make in vitality, mood, performance, etc. Well worth the investment.
Handy, lightweight device
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
I think this is a handy device that I will use with my clients (counseling). It’s light weight, easy to use, and fun!
Blinking Lights Hurt My Eyes
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
The constant blinking lights hurt my eyes and were not relaxing.
I searched for an option to turn off the lights but I could not find it.
So I guess there is none. I have no idea how this helps someone go to sleep unless they put duct tape over the lights. I returned it the next day for a full refund saying it was different from the website description. It was not stress relieving; it created more stress!
Better built than Stress Eraser, but both have limitations
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
As other reviewers have mentioned, Heart Math’s emWave comes with lots of new-agey jargon and inducements to use computer programs along with buying some of the books produced by Heart Math (it’s practically a little industry if not a way of life). Nevertheless, if you’re trying to decide between Stress Eraser and emWave, the latter is the better-built, better-finished, more reliable product. The Stress Eraser looks almost “plain” by comparison, but can be equally effective. The basic tenet of all Eastern, or Eastern-influenced, approaches to better health is to tap into a cosmic energy source the manifestation of which is the human breath stream. In layman’s terms, you gotta breathe to live; moreover, breathing must be regular, coordinated with the cardio-vascular and neurological operations of the macrocosm (the individual who’s breathing), and it must be deep (shallow breathing isn’t breathing: it’s gasping, or drowning).
Before proceeding to a consideration of either pricey gadget, it would be best to acknowledge what they can and can’t do: 1. If you’re unable to “locate” your consciousness in a secure and positive place (i.e. think relaxing thoughts, reflect upon your good fortunes and the things you have to be grateful for), you’ll do well with either of these little machines. They’ll register a pulse that’s harmoniously synchronized with your breath in a regular, unstressed pattern, and you’ll be doubly gratified to have visibly, quantitatively confirmed what it is you already know and feel. 2. If, on the other hand, you’re under unusual or exceptional physical and/or emotional-mental stress, you’re not going to be able to “force” your pulse and breath stream into a regular pattern that will register reassuringly on either of the devices’ read-outs. In other words, these are potentially useful devices for ordinary people experiencing ordinary stress and likely to be helped to relax with a little bit of extra external motivation and encouragement. But they don’t tell me what I don’t know, and they don’t serve as cause-effect stress reducers. All stress–let me repeat, all stress–is in the last analysis a construction, or creation, of the individual. An external device can’t “cure” stress any more than it can “cause” it.
Now for a few pros and cons of each: The Stress Eraser, though larger, is less conspicuous to use in a public place (especially a dimly lit place). However, the batteries are consumed at a rapid, voracious rate (unless you choose not to use the light), the device can be extremely slow to find a pulse (especially if your hands tend to run cold), and the long-term settings usually wind up being short term. The emWave resembles a mini-slot machine with its bright psychedelic lights. But’s it’s more compact, more stable, and it’s a bit more “fun” to use (but no faster or more effective in producing a desired effect). In fact, the Stress Eraser put me to sleep faster than its rival (by contrast, my wife kept complaining about the lights of the emWave as keeping her awake!). When I’m feeling exceptional stress, I have better success “forcing” a positive reading with Stress Eraser than with emWave. That’s because Stress Eraser produces wave patterns that I can control, to a certain extent, by the manner in which I breathe (or hold my breath). As a result, I’m able to achieve the recommended 30 points and take at least some small measure of satisfaction in my accomplishment. With emWave, on the other hand, if stress is in “high mode,” or close to “panic,” all bets are off. You can huff and puff, hold your breath, think about cuddly warm puppies for dear life, but the gadget continually goes back to a red color, undoing any small accomplishment you might have claimed by raising the row of lights while in a blue or (most desirable) green color.
Both of these gadgets will work, and do so more efficiently and effectively than Herbert Benson’s by-now-famous “relaxation response.” For the reasons stated above, I would be wary of the emWave’s hyperbolic claims (eliminates depression, improves health, provides energy, etc.). Also, neither device will enable the user to avert an all-out panic attack because both require a conscious effort of will, or control, before their benefits can be realized. The emWave comes with a CD which, after a few initially promising moments, proves to be mostly a pitch for Heart Math’s books and associated products. The program is basically: 1. breathe, following the movement of the ball; 2. concentrate on that organ in the center of your chest, the heart; 3. think of a positive feeling (no more specific than that, and consequently a bit reminiscent of “Don’t worry. Be happy”). The Stress Eraser, though eschewing the term “math” anywhere in its literature, is actually the more analytic of the two, providing numerical targets for individual sessions and for the entire day. mWave is colorful, and includes innocuous (but non-objectionable) ambience music to accompany its felicitously focused aerobics; Stress Eraser is black and white, with numbers and no music.
In sum, I’d recommend the emWave over the Stress Eraser for most individuals because of the superior build quality, the production values, and higher motivational component for most users. But the Stress Eraser is also worth a look (it’s going for half the price of a year ago). There’s no color, no flashing and streaming neon-like lights, no support groups and computer soft-ware, but sometimes less is more, especially when it comes to gadgets–themselves the source of more stress than we sometimes care to admit. The Stress Eraser makes it possible, even under adverse conditions, to accumulate 30 points and achieve some small degree of satisfaction; the emWave practically ensures a strike-out during those tense moments–say, after news of a death or bad health prognosis–when you walk up to the plate so frazzled you’d rather not look the pitcher in the eye let alone swing at fast balls.
[Contrary to the emWave's recommendation, the ear lobe clip was not easier to use--in fact, it failed to pick up any pulse whatsoever (but then I rarely wear a cap during Wisconsin's wintry weather, which may be the explanation for bloodless ear lobes). The Stress Eraser, as indicated, can also be non-responsive, especially if your fingers are cold. (Put your hand under hot water in these instances.]