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I don’t know about you, but I find myself torn. On one hand I want to spend every moment with my kids, but on the other hand, if that’s all I do I lose my mind. On top of that, so many dads and moms struggle with issues on top of the daily challenges of life, especially with things like mental health and addiction.
It’s not easy to find the time to get the help you need (and who can afford a regular spate of therapy bills?). For this reason, I have seen a recent increase in Mental Health Apps and online services for addiction. In a recent article on Forbes, I read that as many turn to music to take themselves out of depression and anxiety, one woman has created a new app that can combine the calming effects of music with mindfulness. Crazy huh?
Joanna Yu is a musician and entrepreneur who believes in the power of music, and she saw the transformative effect it had on her father who suffered from depression. “Since I was little, I’ve been constantly searching for ways to soothe my dad’s depressed mood and temper. I realized that whenever there is music playing, there is happiness on his face, a kind of smile and brightness that I rarely find with him.”
So Yu created an app called Humm.ly, and it brings music and mindfulness techniques together. “As a music therapy student, part of my education involved working with clients a few hours per week,” Yu continued. “I was able to see the powerful therapeutic effect music had on Alzheimer’s patients. Through music, I addressed goals like increasing fine and gross motor movement, socialization, and self-expression.”
In helping people cope with anxiety, one part of the program can lead the listener through a stressful situation – public speaking – and what to tell yourself during stressful moments, and how to breathe to lessen your stress. Music plays in the background that helps calm your nerves as well.
Yu was originally going to be a musician when she created her app, and she says, “As an entertainer, I could make a small impact through my contributions, but there were limitations…As the CEO of Humm.ly, I envision a world in which music can be utilized for the wellness of all individuals, accessible to millions of people at any time.” Millions of people! It blows my mind.
Clearly, there are many pros to utilizing an app to get the help you need, especially in today’s connected world. My concerns would be the impact of separation on children. I can’t imagine my kids being happy with me plugged into my phone, meditation my way through bath time, or banging on the bathroom door to get my attention whilst I poop and simultaneously try and get in some FaceTime with my virtual therapist.
I think this world of apps and digital helping technology will eventually take over, so as they show up, I try each one. Perhaps one day we will be able to take on our struggles with the support of our digital friends. And maybe, perhaps one day, we will get a virtual parent app for the kids? Technology is such a double-sided coin.
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This is a featured post by site partner Banc Wellness.
Photo: Getty Images
