If something promises to calm my restless mind and help me de-stress (among other proposed benefits), I’m willing to give it a try.
Sure, you could just go for a run or write in a journal, but sometimes you need a little help. And even if that means relaxing in a futuristic, lighted pod and being guided through a meditation while your brain and pulse are monitored, so be it.
After being briefed at REMEDI London on what to expect from the treatment, officially called Rebalance Impulse, I opted for the “Emotional Balance” session in search of mental equilibrium (other options include sleep quality, relaxation quotient, optimal brain flow, autonomic nervous system balance, muscle soreness sensations and vitality).
I plugged in the cable, put on the headphones, and was left alone in a dimly lit room to experience it…
Rebalancing Impulse Overview
🧘 Health Hacks Review: Rebalancing Impulse
⏰ Treatment time: Approximately 30 minutes + 10 minutes for optional feedback form
💸Price: £50
✅Experienced Professional: Positive mood, relaxed mood, and reduced hyperactivity
❌Disadvantages experienced: Easily distracted, audio recordings during meditation
📝Rating: 3 / 5
What is the rebalancing impulse?
Rebalance Impulse is a “non-invasive stimulation and cognitive training device” based on applied neuroscience that can help, among other things, combat stress and prevent health problems.
These techniques include breathing exercises, guided mental imagery, cardiac coherence (a breathing technique aimed at slowing down the heart rate), mindfulness training, sound therapy, color therapy, binaural synchrotherapy (a type of sound wave therapy) and advanced meditation exercises.
REMEDI claims that the key benefits derived from the program include reducing chronic stress, lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients, improving quality of sleep, strengthening the immune system, increasing energy levels, speeding up recovery, improving focus and memory, increasing brain agility, and anti-aging.
My thoughts
The experience involves lying down on a stylish sci-fi-inspired bed with different colored lights shining above you. I closed my eyes and occasionally opened them to enjoy the visuals while a voice over the headphones guided me through my chosen meditation.
I was surprised to find that when I was asked to think of a happy memory (a walk through the forest in Canada where my family lives) it was quite emotional in itself. Thankfully, however, it lived up to the name emotional. balanceThis felt positive and nostalgic. The voice continued with various visualizations and affirmations while incorporating breathing techniques into the treatment.
A few times, I noticed that my overactive mind lost focus and I was not sure what to visualize or whether to count my breaths. The device also asked me to smile a few times, which felt a bit silly and forced. But when I finally managed to smile properly, I noticed that it reflected how I felt. I think all this was helping me control my emotions and calm down.
While the combination of sensory experiences was certainly stimulating and relaxing, the robotic voice in my ear made it feel less intimate and real, and made me aware that I was attempting an experience rather than simply living in the moment.
Nevertheless, I must have been in a pretty zen state by the end of the session. When the practitioner returned to the room, there was very little to talk, in stark contrast to his initial anxious chatter. And it was certainly a zen state into which I would have easily fallen asleep (as difficult as sleep is for me) had I been in the room and been allowed to rest with my head on the pillow.
In terms of the effects on physical health, relaxation helps release tension in the body, but after a single session it is probably too early to judge any more dramatic effects.
My brain was monitored during the treatment, and I was given the option to fill out a short survey after the session, after which I was given a “metric.” I’m not sure what that number really told me. Too It doesn’t go into much detail (though it makes sense that my “emotional balance” score is one of the highest, considering the therapy), and it does say that it needs to be tracked for at least five sessions for it to be more accurate. That said, it did give me some useful insight into what I want to work on next.
My “Index”
Experienced Professionals
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A delightful sensory experience that combines sight, sound and comfort
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Invigorating
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Relaxing and Zen feeling afterwards
Shortcomings experienced
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Distractions that prevent you from concentrating on meditation
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The recorded voices sounded robotic and were taken less seriously than human voices.
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Results from a single session are not very useful
Would I do it again?
I have no intention of turning it down (as it has unlocked some level of inner peace for me), but unless I feel like I can consistently incorporate it into my life, I’m not sure I would pursue it.
Overall it was a relaxing and enjoyable experience, but it was hard to fully immerse myself in it, and I doubt it’s something I couldn’t achieve with regular exercise and journaling (well, maybe a bit of sunbed lounging and a meditation app too).
This review is based on personal experience and is not intended to replace professional medical or health advice.
read more: I tried cryotherapy to see if freezing at -85 degrees was worth the hype (Yahoo Life UK, 5 minute read)
