I really, really, REALLY wanted to learn how to meditate.

I read books, downloaded guided meditations, practiced breathing exercises, bought crystals, but nothing worked. I would sit in my room, alone in the dark, and my mind would well up with anxious thoughts and to-do lists. I’d try to soothe my brain by picturing yoga postures or calming landscapes to no avail. I couldn’t let go, and I eventually gave up.

It wasn’t until I received the brain-sensing headband from Muse to try that my interest in meditation came back. Now that I’ve been using it for a few months, I feel much calmer, and when negative emotions strike, I know that a solution is tucked away in my nightstand drawer. Who could have guessed that this delicate little sci-fi gadget would become one of the most prized possessions in my self-care arsenal?

Unlike fitness trackers and other techie innovations, the interesting thing about Muse is that it keeps working even when it’s off your bod. I’ve even started to meditate on my own, with results ranging from adequate to oh-my-god-I’m-actually-doing-this-and-feeling-all-kinds-of-zen-right-now euphoria.

When you first start, it may take a bit of trial and error to make sure that the headband is on correctly and that all the sensors are engaged, but you’ll learn to do it properly soon enough.

Once it’s calibrated, you’ll be prompted to do a quick exercise that establishes your baseline and gets acquainted with how your brain works. (SO COOL.) You’ll also be able to browse all the various levels of relaxation exercises through the app, which connects directly to your phone.

In a few short minutes, you’ll find yourself on the beach with the sound of waves crashing around you, and an audio track guiding you to relax and focus on your breath. The more relaxed you get, the more soothing the waves become. On the flip side, if you’re brain is active, the waves will get aggressive. If you’re able to keep your brain still for long enough, you’ll be rewarded with the sounds of birds chirping and points. Then, once you’re done, you’ll receive a report from your session!

I don’t know if Muse will work for everybody (I’m not a doctor, in case you didn’t already know that about me), but I do think it’s something that’s very much worthy trying. While it’s not the cheapest gadget (retail is $299 CAN), it’s one that has become invaluable to me.

I don’t often have the time to run out to a yoga class, but whenever things get hairy at work or in my personal life, I know that my little island of calm and songbirds is only minutes away.