It’s Better Than Zero

Tech Corner

I like to geek out about the gear that makes it easier to sit down for a minute, get into a work session, or settle back into a routine after a flight.

By Cameron DeJong Field Notes

I’ve dropped habits, too. These are the tools I keep coming back to. If you’re just starting, try one minute with what you already have.

I may earn a commission if you buy through the Amazon links below.

Muse 2 for meditation and focus

I love the real-time feedback from the Muse 2 headband. I reach for it when I want to meditate, and I also enjoy using it to settle into a focused session. The fussy part for me is getting the sensors to make good contact across my forehead and behind my ears.

Getting a good sensor signal

  1. Center the band. Place it midway between your eyebrows and hairline, with each front sensor against bare skin.
  2. Fit it like a pair of glasses. Rest the silicone contacts behind both ears. Adjust both earpieces evenly until they feel comfortably snug, and move any hair away from the sensors.
  3. Try a little moisture if the signal is weak. Gently wipe the forehead and ear sensor surfaces with a cloth lightly dampened with water. You can also lightly wipe the spots on your forehead and behind your ears where the sensors touch.
  4. Give the signal a moment to settle. Sit upright and still during the app’s Sensor Check. After adjusting the fit, the Muse 2 starter guide suggests waiting 30–60 seconds for the signal to settle.

Muse 2 fitting guide and sensor signal troubleshooting.

See Muse 2 on Amazon

AYO+ blue light therapy glasses

I first heard about AYO when I was looking for help with jet lag on work trips to Germany. I got the original pair, and yes, wearing them gets attention. I’m still a fan. I’ve found that wearing them in the morning helps me sleep better, and I notice the difference in my energy the next day.

For travel, the right time for light exposure depends on the direction you’re flying and the time zones you cross. See the CDC’s jet lag guidance.

See AYO+ on Amazon

Cameron DeJong wearing light therapy glasses
My first-edition AYO glasses.

Mendi makes a short focus session fun

Mendi turns feedback from its headband into a simple game. I love how quickly it makes me want to come back for another round. I give myself permission to start with just a minute of practice, then two. The shortest built-in timer is three minutes, with five, ten, and fifteen also available.

I also like that I can play Brain.fm while I train. The Mendi app includes a selection of free tracks, and a Brain.fm membership opens up more of the library. See how to choose a track in Mendi.

Visit Mendi

Brain.fm for getting into a work session

I’ve used Brain.fm for more than ten years. It’s one of my favorite ways to sit down and get into a task. Use whatever earbuds or headphones you already have. I like to leave the equalizer flat or at its default and turn off any extra bass boost so I can hear the mix as it was made.

Try Brain.fm free for 30 days (referral link). Check the trial and renewal terms at sign-up.

The earbuds and headphones I reach for

Start with a minute

Try one minute of meditation today and give yourself an easy way back to it tomorrow.

Try a one-minute meditation