By Gaia Giordani. Cover image by Antonella Ramos.
You know that feeling of frustration and euphoria when you endlessly scroll through a social media feed, similar to nibbling on junk food without really feeling satisfied? Digital overload and screen fatigue are very real, but you might not have the opportunity to unplug and enjoy offline activities.
When you’re in front of a screen, switching to creative apps instead of getting sucked into the black hole of mindless content can give your brain a break and fuel it with creative stimuli, blessing you with a sense of fulfilment and accomplishment.
On average, we spend more than 6 hours a day staring at a digital screen. You can check your screen time to see your “personal best” (or worst, depending on your perspective) and understand exactly how much time you’re investing in often unproductive activities like doomscrolling. If you feel drained and exhausted after just one hour of binge-watching content, you are likely overstimulated and in need of a break.
Neuroscientists agree that scrolling through social media feeds is an addictive behaviour that reduces our ability to stay focused.
There are better ways to release hormones associated with happiness and restore your ability to stay focused and emotionally balanced while at the same time flooding you with positive feelings. Music and colours are powerful tools, even when experienced through a digital device.
Listening to music triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward. It also engages various areas of the brain, including those responsible for emotions and memory.
Engaging in creative activities like painting and drawing can lower cortisol levels, which helps reduce stress and anxiety. When you enter a state of “flow”, you experience complete absorption and focus in the present moment. This mindful state gives you a sense of accomplishment but also enhances cognitive functions and neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to change and adapt.
Consider trying some of these unconventional apps and artistic websites developed specifically to have a positive impact on cognitive functions. The common theme among these platforms is that they allow you to experiment freely, avoid toxic reward mechanisms and nurture your nervous system with a free flow of music and colours.
5 Apps That Use Art and Sound to Elevate Your Imagination
Radio Garden: A Global Sound Journey for Your Mind
Spin the globe and listen to live radio stations from anywhere in the world. Serendipity is key here: you can freely roam from North to South, exploring tiny islands in the Caribbean or little villages in Zambia to enjoy local music or tune in to indie radio from destinations you’ve never heard of. It’s a unique way to discover new music and cultures. Close your eyes and enjoy different cultures wash over you, stimulating your senses through sound.
Incredibox: Create Music, Have Fun, and Rewire Your Brain
Interactive generative art is big right now, as AI empowers users and developers to push the boundaries of creativity. Incredibox is a very simple beatboxing app that is great for creating your own music. It also serves as a fun way to relax and stimulate your mind by letting you generate unique tracks with minimal effort. This game has won the UNESCO SZ+DAY Design Award and has been enjoyed by 80 million music enthusiasts worldwide. Ready to share your mix?
Silk: Digital Art that Calms and Captivates
Does meditating sound boring? Are colouring books too static for your taste? If you’re seeking mindfulness but want to stay engaged with reality, the solution is right at your fingertips. All you need is a device with a touchscreen to sketch your ideas with Silk, an AI-powered app that allows you to create beautiful and intricate digital art. With Silk, you can draw with colourful threads on a black canvas. It’s mesmerizing and relaxing, and the results are stunning.
Chromesthesia: Transform Sound into Colour
Just visit the website to transform any environmental noise—whether it’s your voice, background music or other sounds—into beautiful coloured shades displayed in your browser window. Part of the SOVIS Sound Color Project, Chromesthesia converts sound into colours based on a real-life phenomenon experienced by fewer than 1 in every 2,000 people. Now, this project allows anyone to explore the relationships between audible and visual spectrums.
Patatap: Turn your Keyboard into a Creative Tool
This app has been around for 10 years, and it’s a true gem that never gets old! It’s the brainchild of computer programmer Jono Brandel and the Japanese electronic duo Lullatone. As soon as you join the website, your keyboard turns into an instrument: each key triggers a unique sound and animation, enabling you to create audiovisual compositions with just a few keystrokes. It’s that simple!
