Between work, family, friends and the less than relaxing daily news cycle, it’s safe to say that many of us are looking for ways to de-stress. Meditating is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, matter of fact, research has shown that meditation can also help reduce chronic pain (such as headaches), lower blood pressure and help people with insomnia. It’s also one of the best ways to refresh your mind, body and spirit, leaving you more energized, disciplined and improving your overall mood.
So how does one get started on this mindful journey towards wellness and self care? Listening to guided meditations on your smartphone app is a great way to help you start a regimen, even on the go. These three meditation apps will get you into a peaceful groove and help you approach each day with a fresher, calmer mind.
01
Insight Timer
The Insight Timer is the perfect app to help you make time each day to calm your mind by using guided meditations that will allow you to sleep better and improve your overall happiness. Find support on your wellness journey by joining one of over 6000 groups, with topics ranging from general community support to Buddhism, mindful eating and stress relief. Download for free, or gain upgraded features like offline listening, with a $4.99/month subscription.
Insight Timer
02
Stop, Breathe, Think
The best part of meditation is that you can do it anywhere, anytime, and whenever you need it most. Need a quick break in the middle of your day to stop and breathe before you lose it on that coworker or get overwhelmed by the kids? The Stop, Breathe,Think app has short (between five and 20 minutes) guided breathing exercises available, and it even recommends which one to try based on your mood. By taking five short minutes to breathe, you can realign your emotions and strengthen your force field of peace. Download the app for free or upgrade to the premium version for $9.99/month.
Stop, Breathe, Think
03
Calm
One of the most popular meditation apps available, Calm provides guided sessions ranging in time from three to 25 minutes, with topics that include calming anxiety, gratitude, mindfulness at work, as well as sleep sounds, nature sounds and breathing exercises. The app is free to download, however, the full library of meditations becomes available with a 12.99/month subscription.