The Calm Spot: a calm spot to replenish attention. [Android]

The Calm Spot was originally designed for classrooms, but by popular demand from adults, the app now also contains a “Personal Mode” with unlimited watching. Based on Attention Restoration Theory, the Calm Spot is designed to help you or your students relax, replenish attention, and focus better afterwards. The idea is that you have to zone out before you can zone in. The Calm Spot is the only calming or nature app to use dozens of real, stunning-quality and dynamic nature videos. Each video is approximately 2-3 minutes long, which is all it should take to relax and refocus.

Adults and children alike will be captivated by the serene images and sounds of a hammock on the beach swaying in the breeze, a babbling brook with the reflection of the sunlight in the water, or cows grazing in a pasture. Sit back and watch as a nature video appears on your screen---all you have to do is watch!

Consistent with Attention Restoration Theory, the app randomly chooses the video you will see, as too much choice increases brain burden. However, like internet radio, Personal Mode does allow you to move along to a different video (also randomly generated).

In Classroom Mode, you take student photos and enter their names, which prevents over-use of the app, so you don’t have to monitor it. Students cannot watch more than one video per hour, nor more than 3 videos per day. The app contains a gentle voiceover reminding students to come back next time.