Meditation is a practice that involves employing techniques to direct your focus and awareness towards yourself, a thought, an object, or an activity. This practice has been embraced by various cultures for centuries to enhance spiritual awareness.
Over time, the emphasis on meditation has evolved, with some individuals shifting their focus from its spiritual benefits to its physical and mental health advantages. Regular meditation can offer both immediate and lasting health benefits. However, mastering this skill can be challenging, and embarking on the journey can feel overwhelming.
While there is no strict right or wrong way to engage in meditation, utilizing online guides or apps can alleviate the stress associated with learning how to meditate.
Advantages of Meditation
Practicing meditation yields numerous advantages, including:
- Stress Reduction: One of the primary motivations for meditation is stress reduction. Scientific research supports this claim. A study from 2014 indicates that meditation can effectively lower levels of psychological stress, contributing to overall well-being.
- Enhanced Sleep: Individuals dealing with insomnia might find relief through meditation. A small study from 2014 indicates that meditation can help improve sleep patterns.
- Support for Overcoming Addictions: Meditation necessitates self-awareness and discipline, qualities that can be beneficial for individuals grappling with addictions. A 2018 review of research highlights how meditation can aid in recognizing and avoiding triggers associated with addictive behaviors.
- Blood Pressure Regulation: The deeply relaxing nature of meditation can contribute to the reduction of blood pressure. A study from 2015 suggests that this is due to the decreased stress response during meditation compared to everyday situations.
Meditation serves as a versatile tool, offering a range of benefits that extend beyond those listed here. Whether pursued for spiritual enlightenment, improved mental well-being, or physical health, meditation has the potential to enrich various aspects of life.
Lancewellness’s picks for the 6 best meditation apps
1. Breethe –Best guided meditation apps
Discover Quick Stress Relief and Enhanced Sleep in Just 5 Minutes Daily with Your Personal Mindfulness Coach. Breethe, an innovative app, offers a range of resources to guide you towards a calmer mind and better sleep. With a series of guided meditation sessions, motivational talks, and expert classes led by mindfulness coach Lynne Goldberg, you can effectively navigate life’s challenges and cultivate inner tranquility. The app also provides sleep-inducing music playlists, soothing nature sounds, and bedtime readings, all aimed at helping you achieve more peaceful and rejuvenating sleep.
During the initial 14-day free trial period, you can explore the features of the Breethe app at no cost. Following this trial, the subscription fee for the app amounts to $12.99 per month. This app is particularly well-suited for individuals seeking guidance to enhance sleep quality and alleviate stress, restlessness, and anxiety.
Pros:
- Meditations require just 5 minutes per day, making it easily accessible for busy schedules.
- The app offers a diverse range of meditation styles to choose from, catering to different preferences.
- A free trial period allows users to explore the app’s offerings before committing to a subscription.
Cons:
- The app requires a monthly payment after the initial 14-day trial period.
- Some users have reported encountering technical issues with the app’s functionality.
If you’re looking to find solace from the demands of daily life, improve your sleep, and alleviate stress, Breethe offers a structured and convenient path to achieving these goals through mindfulness and guided meditation practices.
2. Headspace
Experience Tranquility, Wellness, and Equilibrium with Daytime Guided Meditation and Mindfulness Techniques from Headspace. Discover a plethora of calming resources designed to elevate your well-being. In addition to aiding your daytime serenity, Headspace offers a collection of innovative meditations tailored for a restful night’s sleep. These include music, nature soundscapes, and sleepcasts that whisk you away into captivating stories. The app’s approach involves crafting personalized plans based on your preferences, enabling you to grasp the fundamentals of meditation and advance your practice.
Embark on a 14-day complimentary trial to explore Headspace’s offerings. Following this period, the subscription price is approximately $70 annually or $13 per month.
Pros:
- The app boasts user-friendly navigation, simplifying your meditation experience.
- It caters to beginners by offering introductory courses to meditation.
- With an extensive collection of single meditations and comprehensive courses, the app caters to diverse preferences.
Cons:
- While some content is available for free, there are limitations on access to certain resources.
- The app requires a subscription, and costs may be a concern for some users.
- A few reviewers have indicated encountering technical glitches while using the app.
Headspace emerges as a valuable tool for incorporating meditation and mindfulness into your daily routine, fostering inner serenity and improved mental well-being. Whether you’re seeking guidance for daytime tranquility or restful sleep, Headspace’s comprehensive offerings cater to a variety of needs.
3. Calm –Best meditation apps for sleep
Experience Tranquility with Calm, an Acclaimed App Offering Relaxation Exercises and Breathing Techniques. Calm presents a wide array of resources designed to induce calmness and relaxation. Notably, it houses a Calm Kids section, providing tailored meditations suitable for children aged 3 to 17. The Sleep Stories segment boasts an assortment of voice talents, including recognizable figures like Matthew McConaughey and Jerome Flynn, to facilitate restful sleep. Additionally, the app delivers a mindful experience through your Apple Watch, featuring breathing exercises, mindful walking meditations, and calming activities.
Engage with Calm through a complimentary 7-day trial. Subsequent to this trial, the subscription fee is approximately $15 per month or $70 per year.
Pros:
- The app seamlessly integrates with Apple Watches, enabling easy access to its features.
- Calm offers an assortment of calming music to enhance your relaxation experience.
- The user interface is intuitive and straightforward, contributing to a hassle-free experience.
Cons:
- The app’s relatively less structured approach might be overwhelming for certain individuals.
- A subscription fee is required for access, which may pose financial concerns for some users.
- A subset of users has reported encountering technical challenges while using the app.
Calm stands as a commendable platform for those seeking to cultivate serenity and relaxation through a variety of methods, including meditation, breathing exercises, and calming activities. Whether you’re focused on personal well-being or fostering relaxation in children, Calm provides a comprehensive suite of tools to cater to different needs.
4. buddhify
Discover Inner Peace and Stress Relief with the buddhify App, Boasting a Vast Collection of Over 200 Meditations. This app serves as a comprehensive guide to alleviating anxiety, stress, and managing challenging emotions. With a diverse array of mindfulness exercises, buddhify empowers you to seamlessly integrate mindfulness into various aspects of your life, be it travel, work, mornings, meals, or online engagement. The meditations span from brief 3-minute sessions to more immersive 40-minute experiences, catering to both newcomers and seasoned practitioners.
For a fee of approximately $5, buddhify offers its services, complemented by additional in-app purchases.
Pros:
- The app’s meditations target specific concerns and conditions, tailoring the practice to address various challenges.
- User-friendly navigation enhances your meditation journey.
- For those who prefer unguided meditation, a timer option is available.
Cons:
- There is no provision for free content or a free trial period, potentially deterring some users.
- A subset of users has reported encountering technical difficulties while using the app.
While buddhify lacks a free trial or free content, its extensive meditation library can be a valuable resource for those seeking to manage stress, enhance mindfulness, and address specific emotional needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced practitioner, the app’s range of session durations and targeted content ensures a customized and fulfilling meditation experience.
5. iBreathe –Best meditation apps for breathing
Embrace the Role of an Experimenter in Your Meditation Journey with This App, Allowing Customization of Breathing Intervals, Session Lengths, and Techniques. For those inclined to explore various facets of their meditation practice, this app provides an avenue to experiment with breathing intervals, session durations, breathing cycles, and more. Tailor every aspect of a meditation session to your preferences, adjusting session lengths and the incorporation of specific breathing techniques.
The app offers preset breathing exercises, making it particularly suitable for those seeking uncomplicated deep breathing routines. By following the cues, you can engage in easy training, ideal for beginners or individuals in need of a brief respite.
Notably, the app is entirely free to use, granting access to all features. To eliminate ads, users have the option of a one-time payment of $1.99.
Pros:
- The app’s complete functionality is available free of charge, ensuring accessibility for all users.
- The user interface is straightforward and user-friendly, simplifying setup and usage.
- Focusing on a single technique prevents overwhelming users and facilitates a focused meditation experience.
Cons:
- The app’s range of options may feel limited for individuals seeking more comprehensive features.
- Unfortunately, the app is not available for Android users.
- Ads are present in the free version of the app.
Designed to cater to those who value simplicity and customization, this app provides an ideal platform for experimenting with various aspects of meditation, breathing techniques, and session parameters. Its accessibility, ease of use, and focus on a single technique make it suitable for both beginners and individuals seeking quick relaxation breaks.
6. Breathe+
Discover the Nuances of Meditative Breathing with This App, Tailoring Techniques for Optimal Results. Meditative breathing diverges from regular breathing and may require practice to master for effective meditation and desired outcomes. This app is meticulously designed to assist you in mastering the art of meditative breathing, enabling you to experience its complete benefits. This includes the ability to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds and regulate inhalation and exhalation durations, even for short periods.
The app offers select features for free. To eliminate ads and access all features, users have the option of paying approximately $1 per month, $5 per year, or $9 for lifetime access.
Pros:
- The app boasts an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it uncomplicated to navigate and utilize.
- The techniques provided are straightforward and easy to grasp, catering to users of various experience levels.
- The app offers certain content free of charge, allowing users to explore its offerings before committing to a subscription.
Cons:
- Ads are present in the free version of the app.
- Unfortunately, the app is not available for Android users.
- There may be limitations in terms of the variety of meditation techniques offered.
With its focus on optimizing meditative breathing, this app serves as an invaluable tool for individuals aiming to refine their breathing techniques and achieve enhanced meditation outcomes. Its accessibility, simplicity, and provision of free content make it suitable for a wide range of users, from novices to seasoned practitioners.
The Bottom Line
In a world that often seems to move at lightning speed, meditation apps offer a respite—a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves. The variety of meditation apps available ensures that there’s a perfect fit for every individual, regardless of experience level or meditation goals. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve sleep, enhance focus, or simply find moments of tranquility, these six meditation apps can guide you on your journey toward a more mindful and balanced life.
