Hanging with the fam over the holidays? Say no more. We’re breaking down four of the best meditation apps out there to help you stay sane and emotionally stable – no matter what your mother says.
If building a consistent meditation practice has been stop-and-go (or just plain frustrating) we empathize; it’s not easy to clear your mind for a second, never mind a full session. Meditation apps are an easy and super accessible way to build up endurance and lock it all down in a routine. Discover our four favorite meditation apps below, with something that every level of practice – and attention span – will benefit from…
Insight Timer
This free meditation app allows you to set a timer and enjoy a meditation break of any length accompanied by a few soothing ambient sound options, like raindrops and eternal streams. Our favorite feature is a basu bowl and wood block sound that you can use as a timer during your practice or a reminder to do it daily. Just hearing the timer starts us headed toward a more peaceful place!
Simple Habit
This meditation and mindfulness app is perfect for busy people. It offers accessible 5-minute guided meditations from highly vetted teachers, addressing hundreds of specific topics, from deep sleep and stress reduction to study breaks and morning sickness.
Calm
If calm is what you need, find it with this app’s 7-day starter program. Each day, try a different 10-minute guided meditation on functional topics ranging from mindful awareness to patience. The paid version of the app offers a massive inventory of super specific meditations including: loving-kindness, forgiveness, deep sleep, focus and even one for kids. We also love that the main page displays soothing sounds and images of nature – think forest rain or a breezy tropical beach – to provide something visual to focus on while mediating.
Headspace
Headspace is ideal for those just beginning to build a habit of meditating. Their level-one course offers daily 10 minute meditations that focus on a variety of topics including foundation, health, and performance. The app also allows you to set reminders and has a buddy system feature to share the journey with a friend.
