We are often asked to share some of the apps that our team uses in the Social Work Industry.
One area of apps we wanted to focus on are meditation apps. We have found a variety of guided meditation services and products. It should be noted that these apps can be used for both Android and Apple devices.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation can help reduce stress, chronic pain (such as headaches), and blood pressure, as well as help you quit smoking and better navigate a variety of mental health conditions.
You don’t need to be an expert to get the benefits from meditation. Even if you’ve never tried it before, there are things for beginners to advanced users alike on these apps.
So let’s get into some of our favorite apps to begin your new or continued meditation practice.
Headspace is one of the most well-known meditation apps out there. There are hundreds of guided meditations, mini-meditations, sleep sounds, SOS meditations for emergencies, meditations for kids and animations to help you better understand meditation. Cost: $7.99 to $12.99 per month after trial
Calm provides guided sessions ranging in time from three to 25 minutes. And with topics ranging from calming anxiety to gratitude to mindfulness at work—as well as sleep sounds, nature sounds, and breathing exercises—you can really choose your focus. There are new meditations every day, progress trackers, and seven-day and 21-day programs for beginners. Cost: Free, in-app purchases
10% Happier: Meditation For Fidgety Skeptics is based on the book by the same name (by ABC news correspondent Dan Harris) the 10% Happier app is perfect for the skeptic who is not sure that they want to meditation. This one has meditations aimed to help users with anxiety and sleep, and there is new content each week. Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Calming an overactive mind takes work, and meditation can help. No matter how long you’ve been practicing meditation, establishing and sticking with a habit can be difficult. Apps are good tools for people who are total beginners looking for somewhere to start, but they can also be helpful for experienced meditators who need a refresher or are returning to meditation after a break. These programs offer guided meditations, daily reminders, and even soothing music, all of which can help you establish an ongoing practice.
Do you use any meditation or mindfulness apps? We’d love to hear about them! Join the conversation on our Facebook page for more information.