These mindfulness apps will train you to respond rather than react to any stressful situation
Art by Tricia Guevara
We are more anxious and stressed out today with fast-paced lifestyles and social media playing a major role in everyday life. But there are certain practices we can adopt to improve our mental well-being and avoid feeling stressed all the time.
One way is to invest in mindfulness apps that can help us focus more on the present, which in turn can lower our stress levels. It’s been proven that meditation and mindfulness both teach us to respond rather than react to stress or any tough situation. It also helps control anxiety and worries. But the best part? It’s something we can easily do, thanks to a number of apps available today.
Through meditation, yoga, and exercise, these apps are designed to help us focus and be more purposeful in our actions.
Headspace
Headspace is a meditation app that can help bring balance and peace. It guides us to focus on happier and healthier thoughts and to become less reactive to anxiety triggers through basic meditation tutorials. There are breathing exercise sessions that last for three, five, and 10 minutes. What’s great about the app is that it’s beginner-friendly as it guides us to learn the essentials of meditation and mindfulness.
Available for iOS and Android
Calm
Calm is the world’s leading meditation app and is known as the most versatile one. It helps us sleep, meditate, and relax better through daily calm sessions with the help of seasoned practitioners who show us how to practice living healthier. A standout feature is “calm body,” which is a series of 10-minute videos about mindful movement and sleep stories designed to lure us into relaxation mode. Another great feature is its nature and peaceful beats (rolling waves, pouring rain, crackling firewood or crickets) we can listen to wherever we are.
Available for iOS and Android
Stop, Breathe & Think
Stop, Breathe & Think is the perfect app to use at the end of each day. Once we start the app, it’ll ask us how our day went and use this information to construct short meditation and yoga practices that can boost our mood and reduce anxiety. In addition, the app also lets us set reminders of daily goals.
Available for iOS and Android
Insight Timer
Looking for people to meditate with? Try Insight Timer. It’s a social network platform made for meditators around the world, letting its users see how many people are also currently meditating. It also allows us to invite friends to join sessions. The app also has access to a free library where we can learn about self-love, conquer addictions, and reduce anxiety.
Available for iOS and Android
MindU
Available for iOS
MindU detects our mood and stress levels by asking us to put our finger on our phone’s camera. It briefs us on how to practice calm breathing, simple meditating, mindful living, self-healing, and deep sleeping based on our mood. The practices are from experienced meditators around the world who aim to help people live better, regain happiness, and improve health.