By: Lindsay Angelo, Futurist, Strategist, MBA, TEDx Speaker
Introduction
What is Calm Technology?
The Benefits of Calm Technology in the Wellness Space
Who’s Doing It Well?
The Future of Calm Technology
Conclusion
Introduction
In a world where technology often overwhelms, the concept of calm technology offers a refreshing shift. As a Futurist with a focus on the purpose-driven economy, I’m passionate about exploring trends that not only advance our lives but also support our well-being. Calm technology is one of those trends—a movement that promises to integrate technology seamlessly into our lives without the stress and anxiety that often accompanies digital overload.
What is Calm Technology?
Calm technology is built on the idea that technology should serve us, not demand our constant attention. Coined by Mark Weiser and John Seely Brown in the 1990s, the concept emphasizes technology that informs without overwhelming, receding into the background until it's needed. It’s about creating tools that allow us to focus on what truly matters, enhancing our lives rather than distracting us.
The principles of calm technology are straightforward yet powerful:
Technology should require the smallest possible amount of attention.
It should inform and create calm.
It should work even when it fails.
Technology should amplify the best of technology and the best of humanity.
In essence, calm technology is a design language. It's about designing technology that respects our attention and mental space, creating contextual experiences that allow us to interact with the technology when necessary and forget about it when we don’t need it. This is a sharp contrast to Interruptive Technology, which constantly seeks to be the center of attention and disrupts our daily life with unnecessary notifications and distractions.
The Benefits of Calm Technology in the Wellness Space
In the wellness industry, calm technology can be a game-changer, particularly amongst a mental health epidemic we are witnessing firsthand. Consider the stress that constant notifications, alerts, and updates cause. Calm technology seeks to reduce this noise, offering a more serene interaction with the digital world. As technology intersects with every aspect of our world and as we continue to unravel the full impact of social media, calm technology will be crucial to ensuring our collective wellbeing.
1. Mental Well-being: Calm technology helps reduce cognitive load by ensuring that information is presented in a way that doesn’t overwhelm the user. For example, smart home devices that adjust lighting and temperature without requiring constant input can create a more peaceful living environment. These calm designs contribute to a sense of calm that enhances our everyday life.
2. Enhancing Focus: By minimizing unnecessary distractions, calm technology allows for deeper focus and productivity. Wearable devices that subtly monitor health metrics and provide feedback only when necessary can help users stay in tune with their well-being without constant disruptions. Here, design principles play a crucial role in ensuring that these devices do not intrude on the primary task at hand.
3. Improved User Experience: Calm technology prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, making it ideal for wellness applications. Apps designed to improve mental health, for instance, can use calm technology principles to deliver interventions in a way that feels natural and non-intrusive. This approach aligns with the core principles of designing calm technology and reducing the mental cost associated with using digital tools.
Who’s Doing Calm Technology Well?
Several companies and regions around the world are already leading the charge in calm technology, particularly in the wellness sector.
1. Japan’s Minimalist Approach: Japan has long been known for its minimalist design philosophy, which naturally aligns with the principles of calm technology. Companies like Muji are integrating calm technology into their products, creating smart home devices that blend seamlessly into the home environment. These calm computing devices respect social norms and offer Calm Tech Experiences that enhance rather than disrupt.
2. Google’s Digital Wellbeing Initiative: Google has taken steps to promote calm technology through its Digital Wellbeing initiative. Features like “Focus Mode” and “Wind Down” on Android devices are designed to help users disconnect when needed, reducing the digital noise that can contribute to stress.
3. Scandinavian Design in Wearables: Scandinavian companies, with their emphasis on simplicity and functionality, have embraced calm technology in wearable devices. Products like the Oura Ring, which tracks sleep and activity without intrusive notifications, are excellent examples of this approach. These devices are designed to interact with a variety of senses in a way that maintains a sense of calm.
The Future of Calm Technology
Looking ahead, calm technology is poised to become a cornerstone of the wellness industry. As our lives become increasingly connected, the demand for technology that enhances rather than disrupts will grow. We can expect to see more products and services that align with calm technology principles, particularly in the areas of mental health, productivity, and home automation. Long term, my hope is that calm technology becomes the industry-standard. This follows the same “well-x” line of thinking I spoke in my last wellness article and TED talk below.
However, the widespread adoption of calm technology will require thoughtful design and a shift in how we approach technology development. It’s crucial that companies prioritize user experience and well-being over constant engagement and data collection. The design challenges and design decisions involved in this process will shape the impact on society as we move further into the twenty-first century.
As a futurist, I see a significant role for thought leaders in guiding the integration of calm technology into various sectors. By collaborating with businesses, designers, and developers, we can create a future where technology supports a more mindful, balanced way of living. This means paying attention to even the smallest details, such as the colors of light emitted by screens, which can have a profound effect on our well-being, particularly when it comes to blue light exposure.
Conclusion
Calm technology is more than just a trend; it’s a necessary evolution in how we interact with the digital world. By embracing technology that respects our attention and enhances our well-being, we can create environments that support a more peaceful, focused, and fulfilling life.
Calling all brands, organizations, governments and business leaders across all industries...interested in exploring how to integrate calm technology into your business or organization? Let's chat!
Read more on the the future of wellness, top wellness trends, the future of psychedelics, futurology, how to cultivate a futurist mindset, and what a futurist is.
About the author
Lindsay Angelo is a celebrated Futurist and Strategist, supporting impact-driven professionals, teams and organizations in learning to think and lead into the future. She holds an MBA, is a TEDx speaker, and has been recognized as an award-winning futurist and strategy consultant. Lindsay's advised Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurs, think tanks, and the broader wellness industry - all the while creating a nomadic lifestyle rooted in travel, family and community. Named a Woman to Watch and Global Innovation Leader, Lindsay's delivered over 100+ keynotes and has worked with organizations including lululemon, Unilever, the LEGO Group, Snapchat and the Human Potential Institute. She stems from deep wellness roots having spent six years growing lululemon to the biggest yoga brand in the world. Having created the signature "well-thy blueprint" for driving brand growth, Lindsay believes business is the greatest healing agent that exists, if we choose to use it as such.
