Current for Chrome

No work environment is like the other, but even if you truly love your job, there are still days when you just feel like you’re about to lose it. Stress at the workplace is a very common symptom, and people usually find different ways to cope with it. Among the favorites are meditation, simple breathing exercises or even inspirational quotes.

But sometimes, when deadlines are tight, even such activities can be perceived as procrastination (even though they could, in fact, help you increase your productivity). So if you need some help to unwind during these dark times (or during any other day), you could try turning your browser into a “relaxation tool”, with Current.

Current is an extension for Google Chrome that provides inspirational and relaxing content every time you open a new tab. The content may take the form of tips for achieving mindfulness, but it can also prompt you to an audio-visual clip designed to help you meditate for just a few minutes (something called micro-meditation).

After you add Current to your browser, you will be asked how many times a day do you wish to meditate; if, for example, you select 5, then you’ll most likely be prompted to micro-meditate five times a day during your working hours.

Even if you think that guided meditation is a bit cringe-worthy, you’d be surprised to find that the technique can be quite efficient. The exercises consist mainly of breathing techniques, but the voice-over is surprisingly soothing and the ambient soundscapes amplify that effect. The visuals consist of just wavy, slightly trippy patterns, but they can also help induce a state of calm.

The extension also records your progress in order to determine you to skip as few sessions as possible. While Current is not an add-on that everyone will need, it probably won’t disappoint those who actually need some extra time to just breathe and relax.