The best meditation apps could help you sleep better, reduce stress, and find inner peace if necessary. But given the current situation with Covid-19, even if meditation apps just give you a break from the news and a chance to relax for ten minutes, they're still worth it. Headspace, one of the most popular meditation apps, was first launched 10 years ago. Since then, hundreds of other meditation apps have been created and that means finding the best meditation app for you can be overwhelming. But when it comes to meditation, choice is a good thing. There are now meditation apps to cater for all kinds of people and preferences. Apps for beginners that walk you through the basics of meditation (like Headspace and Buddhify), for those that just provide you with a timer and beeps so you can 'freestyle' your meditation practice. (such as Samsara Timer and Pocket Meditation Timer). There are not only different styles of apps, but different variations of the meditative practice. You've probably heard celebrities scream about the benefits of transcendental meditation, but most of the meditation apps you can download, and the ones on this list, allow you to practice some form of mindfulness meditation, less focus on the chants and mantras and more focus on, well, focus.
What is mindfulness meditation?
It's easy to roll your eyes at the word "mindfulness." We've all been inundated with books, articles, and apps to become more mindful, from thoughtful swimming and shopping to thinking and traveling, and everything in between. But, in simple terms, mindfulness is about being present and noticing what is happening. Contrary to popular belief, this does not mean clearing your mind. Instead, it means paying more attention. Whether it's your thoughts, your breath, or the sounds around you. The advantage of mindfulness meditation is that you can begin to take part in the presence and awareness that you feel when you meditate in everything you do throughout the day. And giving yourself the tools to be a little more present during the day is just one of the many benefits of meditation. It's still early days for scientific studies (so we can't say for sure that meditation works well for everyone and provides the same benefits for everyone), but the results are promising. Studies so far have shown that meditation can lower blood pressure, improve sleep, alleviate some of the symptoms of depression, reduce stress and increase compassion, improve memory, and even boost the immune system. With all of that in mind, here's our top pick of the best meditation apps right now. Everything we've used and tested (in some cases for years) to give you the best chance of cultivating a little more calm and less stress in your life.
1. Wake up
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(Image credit: Waking Up app) Ideal for those who want a simple practice imbued with insight. Awakening was created by Sam Harris, a neuroscientist, philosopher, podcaster, and author who teaches and discusses meditation in a modern scientific context. What we like about the Waking Up app above all others is that it doesn't make sense. There are no songs, sparkling sounds of rain, or spiritual references. Even the app itself has a minimal, easy-to-use design. The goal here is to be present and aware. But that doesn't mean it's not as relaxing and transformative. We've been using Waking Up for over a year and find it makes a world of difference, especially for stress levels and responsiveness. There are two sections of Waking Up. The Practice section is where you can access simple daily meditations as told by Sam Harris himself. When you first sign up for the app, these daily practices will serve as an introduction to meditation, familiarizing you with the basics of sitting and becoming more mindful. But there is also a section called Theory, which is about learning what is going on behind the practice. Sam Harris interviews a number of prominent personalities in the meditation, personal development, and neuroscience spaces to discuss topics like death and consciousness and also posts smaller lessons, which are like pieces of wisdom as we listen to sometimes when we've already meditated that day. This wealth of lessons, interviews, and additional knowledge about meditation is what makes Waking Up stand out from the competition. That's why we recommend Awakening for those who want to become more familiar with meditation, as well as the science and thinking behind it. Price: free. But with in-app purchases to unlock more content. You can also contact Sam Harris and the creators if you really want to try more of the app but can't afford it. Available for iOS / Android
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(Image credit: Headspace)
2. Head space
Ideal for beginners. Headspace is one of the most popular meditation apps around, and with good reason. We started meditating with Headspace over six years ago and believe we have successfully overcome the obstacles that can arise when you first choose to meditate. How can we sit still? What if we were caught in reflection? How do we stop fighting when we are distracted? It's managed to make it easy for us in daily practice thanks to an easy-to-use app, full of colours, simple instructions, fantastic images to illustrate what happens when you meditate and the soft voice of Headspace founder Andy Puddicombe. This is an excellent first scale for beginners who want to get familiar with meditation. One of the best things is that there are many different types of meditation to try in all kinds of situations. Whether it's a simple mindfulness practice, meditation for kids, for sleep, or when you're busy, including mindful cooking. We especially like the SOS meditations, specially designed for mini meltdowns. There is one for feeling overwhelmed and one for panicking, which we have used many times to bring ourselves back to neutrality. Price: free. But with in-app purchases to unlock more content. Available for iOS / Android
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(Image credit: calm)
3. calm
Ideal for those who can't meditate enough. When you first open the Calm app, it tells you to take a deep breath and this is what the entire experience with the app looks like. A breath of fresh air and a chance to get out and slow down, just for a few minutes. One of our favorite things about Calm is that it asks you what your goal is before you start. Whether it's developing gratitude, increasing happiness, or, our favorite, reducing stress. Calm offers a wide selection of different meditations. There's a series on trust, one on saying yes to life, and even a Sigur Ros bath experience when you don't want advice but just want soothing sounds to help you unwind. There is also a Sleep Stories section of the app to help you get a good night's sleep. Featuring bedtime stories read by soothing voices or famous soothing voices, including Matthew McConaughey. It tells a story about the universe called Wonder and it's a very, very dreamy experience. If you don't want to take a guided meditation, Calm also has a timer and a vast catalog of relaxing music, sounds and background sounds to choose from – many are suitable for sleeping, but others are just lovely to listen to while you work or do chores. We think there are better apps out there to teach you the basics of meditation, but Calm offers the widest range of meditations, sounds, sleep features, and stories to choose from. For us, it really takes its name: it is a destination for calm. Price: You can sign up for a free 7-day trial of Calm. So it's €42.99 / €42.99 for one year. Available for iOS / Android
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(Image credit: Buddify)
4, buddhify
Ideal for those who want practical tools to help them throughout the day. Although we are creatures of habit, many of us don't always want to meditate in the same way every day. This is where Buddhify comes in. Sometimes you might want something slow and relaxing to guide you through a difficult experience, other times you need a simple body scan when you're waiting at the doctor's office or in line at the post office. That's why instead After asking yourself what you want to focus on (because we often don't know, especially if we're stressed), Buddhify will show you a series of scenarios on a color wheel and it's your job only to choose which situation best describes what's going on right now. . The app offers a recommendation focused on what you might need in the moment, and it always tends to perfectly match your situation with meditation. Whether sleeping, walking or traveling. Our recommendation would be to start your meditation journey with Headspace or Waking Up, and then complete your practice with Buddhify, as this makes meditation less of a sacred practice that requires a quiet room, a comfortable cushion and incense and more. A practical and useful tool. Price: €4.99 / €4.99 Available for iOS / Android
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(Image credit: Insight Timer)
5. Perception timer
Ideal for a meditation mix. Like Calm, Insight Timer is an app with many guided meditation practices, lessons, and features. This means it's not just an app for meditation, but a one-stop-shop for feeling good, calming down, and reading about the larger thinking and history behind meditation practice and personal development. There is a range of guided meditation in Insight Timer. You can choose from a beginner's kit, which includes learning to meditate or managing anxiety. Or select how you want to meditate based on a particular goal, such as sleep, stress, and anxiety. Or you can choose the type of practice you're in the mood for, such as paying attention to sound, movement, or sitting down and engaging in guided imagery. There is a useful 7-day course that we recommend if you are new to meditation, which teaches you the basics. But like Calm, we think Insight Timer is a great option once you've started meditating and want access to a wide range of practices at your fingertips - it's a meditation option. Price: free. But with in-app purchases to unlock more content. Available for iOS / Android