Source: Nexus Studios / Headspace XR
We all endure some form of stress in our daily lives that require us to sit back, take a deep breath, meditate and say woosah a good time to maintain our mental health. Unfortunately, meditation is not something that many people turn to. However, Nexus Studios wants to change that and make meditation relaxing and fun with its new mixed reality mental support app Headspace XR.
Headspace is already an app used by 40 million people, so it's not new to the world of mental support through relaxation and meditation through their smartphones, but with Headspace XR, Nexus Studios uses virtual reality to transform the minds of users in a virtual playground.
The idea of relaxation and meditation is to disconnect from the world both physically and, now with platforms like X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, also socially. But with Headspace XR, you plug in but, in the process, still escape to a space where one can improve their mental well-being.
When entering the virtual world of Headspace XR, users can participate in many activities, including mind-stimulating games that teach breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation, with some help from Headspace teachers. These activities can also be done with friends.
Headspace XR can be a powerful tool to introduce Gen Z to the art of meditation and relaxation
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573879279.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573879279.png?strip=all&quality=85)
Source: Nexus Studios / Headspace XR
Ahead of the VR app's launch, we had the chance to try it out and talk to some of the people who helped make the app, which has been over two years in the making, a reality.
We spoke with Kessona Giscombe, a meditation and mindfulness teacher at Headspace who consulted on Headspace XR, and Sara Cohen, Headspace's VP of Content Creation.
Giscombe talked about bringing the practice of meditation into the virtual reality space, reaching a younger audience and wanting to make it something in everyday life.
“I thought it was extremely powerful, especially because technology is moving so fast. The ability to reach a younger generation, Gen Z, ages 12 to 27, 29. I think it's a great way to reach this generation,” Giscombe said. It's about exposing them to mindfulness meditation that they're not normally exposed to. And also normalizing it, normalizing it.”
He continued, “Remember, mindfulness meditation is not just about techniques and exercises. It really is a way of life. So normalize this lifestyle and incorporate the technology you experience on the XR into your everyday life just like you would outside in real life. When I meditate, my purpose and intention is to bring this principle of awareness into my daily life.”
Reaching Gen Z where they are
VR is still a niche product, and Meta Quest 3 headsets aren't in everyone's homes like TVs are…yet. However, Nexus and Giscombe know there is an opportunity to reach people where they are and introduce them to the meditative lifestyle.
“You have to start at some point because the technology is so… Like I said, it's moving fast. It is becoming a normal way of life, especially for the younger generation. It's a great way to get them where they are,” Giscombe begins. “
“I know that VR, XR is becoming something that the younger generation is doing every day. Wow, here's a way to bring this mindfulness practice and this lifestyle of awareness and meditation to this generation. Where it's not even weird or… It's just their usual way. I feel very stressed today. Let me do a little meditation on my Meta Quest 3. They have already started [the] Quest 3. They already make other games, right?' He continued
Group meditation on a virtual level
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573552359.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573552359.png?strip=all&quality=85)
Source: Nexus Studios / Headspace XR
Another aspect where Headspace XR can revolutionize the meditation game is how it will connect the world through meditation.
While going to a meditation meditation class is still the most popular method for many, Headspace XR could close the gap by bringing people into the virtual space and providing a much more immersive experience.
“How strong would that be? Because that team dynamic with meditation is everything. If you can go, like you said, to a classroom or other neighborhoods or a community center, and the teacher is there with their headphones, you have the whole … Oh, you could try the group,” Giscombe said. HHW Gaming.
He continues, “This group dynamic is so powerful when it comes to mindfulness and meditation. I think that would be awesome.”
Cohen adds, “It's also such a different experience if you're thinking of a teacher leading a class in front of you instead of going into headphones together in a completely immersive experience. Be able to actually make a set time and place to check in with yourself. How do you feel today? How do you get into it? Ask each other how you feel. Then engage in these experiences that, as you said, help teach you how to do some of these mindful activities properly. I think sometimes pure sound just can't do it, right? There are some who have a problem with this. And so I think at Headspace, we really have to be careful about making meditation and mindfulness available and accessible to everyone. And that includes generations playing with their headphones.
The Concerns of VR Eliminating the Human Experience
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573769159.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573769159.png?strip=all&quality=85)
Source: Nexus Studios / Headspace XR
There is also the concern that using the Headspace XR could eliminate the human experience of being face-to-face or experiencing things in person, which is very true after experiencing the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Giscombe and Cohen understand the fear and feel that, like any tool, the Headspace XR can be very beneficial if used correctly.
“Well, technology itself is not a bad thing, but the way we relate to it is. So, definitely, just like we do with social media and every other technology that comes out, being aware of how you use it, being aware of how you use it. So, sure, this can be a great tool to bring this mindfulness practice into your life and space. But remember the idea is to do this practice and then bring it into your real life. Okay, that's the intention. This is another tool where we can be with the practice, practice it and then bring it into our real experience,” Giscombe said.
Cohen adds, “I think we know the pitfalls of technology. We know where they are. And I think it's especially important for Headspace to show up in those spaces and use technology for all that it really has to offer, the benefits of technology. You could be there playing a multiplayer shooter game and having fun with your friends. Or you can be there in a multiplayer experience in Headspace XR, taking care of your mental well-being with your community, which is very powerful. So I think people connect there anyway. People go to those platforms anyway, and it's our job to show up in those spaces and be able to teach people the tools to take care of their mental health.”
Headspace XR curated events
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108574203317.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108574203317.png?strip=all&quality=85)
Source: Nexus Studios / Headspace XR
To continue discussing how Headspace XR can connect users, we asked if they plan to host curated events through the app.
Cohen said HHW Gaming that Nexus is currently looking at how users interact with the app and will keep the idea of in-app events on the table.
“I mean, we've been working hard for over two years on this. For now, I think we want to get the Headspace XR out into the world and see how they use it and how people behave with it,” Cohen said. “But that's on the table as something we can explore. I mean, I'd love to get Kess there for a live meditation. There are a lot of different, I think, experiences that we can continue to build once we see how users actually use the product.”
The reasoning behind your Avatar design
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573986591.png?strip=all&quality=85)
![Headspace XR](https://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/43/2024/03/17108573986591.png?strip=all&quality=85)
Source: Nexus Studios / Headspace XR
To wrap up our discussion, we were curious about the game's avatar design. While most apps or games try to recreate the user's appearance, Headspace XR takes a unique approach to appearance in its virtual world.
Sarah Cohen explained why Nexus went in the direction it did in terms of user appearance on the Headspace XR.
“We spent a lot of time thinking about how you would appear in this space. I think with Gen Z specifically, we know how much social pressure there is based on how you look. I mean, by the way, it's not just Gen Z. It's all of us. You show up in a space and you're so aware of how you look in every physical way,” Cohen begins. “And we just wanted to design something where the Nexus team was really involved in what could be more abstract. It didn't define your shape, your size, or the color of your skin. Something that could leave any crisis so that people feel safe. It was really very important for us.”
“And then beyond that was obviously the ability to interact with the world and have the world captured in your avatar and have that ability as a deeper metaphor for how we go about our day-to-day lives. We walk through life. everything affects you, but you don't always understand that everything affects you, but you don't get to see this physical manifestation. And so we really wanted people to be as judgment-free as possible in that space and be able to see the impact they're having on the world around them and the impact the world is having on themselves.”
The Headspace XR is now available exclusively on Meta Quest 2 and Quest 3 headsets.
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