My primary motivation for exploring meditation, breath, and technology is my interest in stress and anxiety. Stress is something everyone experiences in varying degrees throughout their lifetime. Personally, I have a difficult time dealing with stress and anxiety. In order to learn how to manage these issues, I came across some biofeedback meditation training sessions offered on my campus by Student Counseling Services. I also have been practicing yoga on and off for the past few years. I am committed to making both of these practices more regular in my life.
Benefits of Meditation
I came across an excellent TED talk about meditation:
Here are some of the notable benefits of meditation:
- Improved attention span
- Sharpened focus
- Improved memory
- Reduced stress, pain, depression, and anxiety
Current Relevant Technologies
Transforming Pain Research Group (SFU)
- Motivation: to help individuals with chronic pain manage their pain more effectively
- Virtual Realities
Sonic Cradle
Meditation Chamber
AIST: Paro Therapeutic Robot
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Motivation: to allow the benefits of animal therapy for patients in environments where live animals present difficulties
Video Demo
Yohanan and McLean: The Haptic Creature
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Motivation: to investigate the display, recognition, and emotional influence of affective touch
Video Demo
Initial Thesis Brainstorming
So here are my current ideas for my thesis topic!
Create a portable object to guide breath in meditation.
- Size: currently playing with the idea of a small handheld object, a larger huggable object, or a pendant
- Material: silicone material Insert that could be warmed up (reminiscent of therapeutic spa masks)
- Incorporate use of biofeedback sensors
Until Next Time…
My main goals for the upcoming month:
- Reading scientific papers about benefits of meditation
- Researching more projects/studies dealing with breath, touch, and therapeutic technologies
- Experimenting with Arduino and biofeedback sensors
- Developing a more thorough thesis idea
