4 Top Mindfulness Apps
There is some overlap between meditation and mindfulness apps, and many can be used for both purposes. However, these four are specifically good choices for practicing mindfulness.
1. The Mindfulness App
This app offers meditation, sleep stories, and support in building a more mindful life. You can set up mindfulness reminders, track your stress levels and mindfulness progress over time, and choose themed courses to help with specific problems.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
2. Smiling Mind
Operated by a leading Australian mental health nonprofit, Smiling Mind is designed to support social–emotional learning, build the skills that underpin wellbeing, and reduce stress.
It offers meditation and mindfulness practices, customizable practice routines, and progress tracking that can be especially helpful for children and beginners.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
3. Buddhify
With guided meditations in a variety of categories, a Mindfulness 101 learning section, and a solo meditation feature, Buddhify can help you learn and build a new mindfulness practice from the ground up. As of the time of writing it is currently only available in the Apple App Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
4. Mindfulness Coach
This app from the US Department of Veterans Affairs offers audio exercises and a self-guided training program that can plant the seeds of mindfulness and build self-awareness, improve emotional balance, and enhance coping skills.
It was designed for service members and veterans to get their mental health in tip-top shape, but it can help users from all walks of life do the same.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
Meditation Apps for Anxiety
Mindfulness is an excellent tool for managing anxiety and reducing its symptoms (Chen et al., 2012). Many of the apps already listed can be used by people with anxiety; however, if you’re looking for apps that are specifically known to help with anxiety, there are a couple of options.
1. Headspace
We covered Headspace already, but it’s a notable addition for managing anxiety. With its specially curated courses on tackling a range of mental and emotional challenges, Headspace offers a Calming an Anxious Mind course to help users ease the mind and calm their nervous system.
There are also several specific short “SOS” exercises to help you handle anxious moments and walking mindfulness exercises to soothe your worries.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
2. Sattva
Sattva is another app that has been helpful for anxiety. With guided meditations and a meditation timer, it offers all you need to dive into a meditation practice.
For added benefits, it offers a meditation community, with shared playlists and group meditations to work on mental health together. It also incorporates chants and mudras (hand positions associated with traditional meditation practice), engaging your whole mind and body to address anxiety.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
3. One Deep Breath
One Deep Breath is another useful app for managing anxiety. Although it is not a traditional meditation app, it uses similar techniques through harnessing the breath to improve focus, bring a sense of calm, and lead to better sleep and increased energy.
It includes lessons and courses taught by experts to help you meet your mental health goals.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
2 Best Mindfulness Apps for Relaxation
If you’re looking specifically for relaxation, there are plenty of apps that can get you there. Try these apps that are particularly effective for relaxation.
1. Breethe
Breethe markets itself as the “friendliest wellness app” and is a great choice for injecting peace and relaxation into your day.
It includes meditations, stories, music, and sleep sounds, all geared toward reducing your stress and anxiety and providing instant relief from the busyness of daily life.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
2. Mesmerize
This visual meditation app will help you clear your mind and find relaxation with their unique guided meditations.
Providing an infinite scroll of stunning meditation visuals could be an effective antidote for the infinite scroll of social media.
Find the app in the Google Play Store.
Find the app in the Apple App Store.
Other Platforms for Guided Mindfulness
While the meditation apps above offer many options to help you get started, there are dozens of other apps that offer similar features that might fit your needs. But remember, apps are not the only way to get mindfulness support. You can find guided mindfulness practices on other platforms, too.
Many of the companies behind these apps have websites that share similar content, accessible from your laptop or other connected devices.
YouTube is also a great resource, with thousands upon thousands of mindfulness and meditation videos. With a vast array of voices to guide you, tons of areas of focus to choose from, and varying practice lengths, YouTube makes it easy to find whatever you are looking for.
For example, this video from Sadhguru, an expert on spirituality, meditation, and yoga, walks you through what meditation is, what it does for you, and how to do it.
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