Guided Meditation: Top 6 Apps for Mindfulness Exercises

We live busy lives, from pressures of family to the 8 to 5 work/college life cycle. And managing stress has become an increasingly important factor for businesses as well as individuals. In the last 10 yrs this has become even more apparent. A plethora of “Keep Calm” posters have cropped up recently. But for a stressed or anxious person, those posters don’t help much. In order to keep your calm, you have to find it first.
That’s where anti-anxiety and anti-stress practices can help. Chief among them is meditation.
Most guys think of meditation sort of the same way they think of yoga, or jazz music — a strange, supposedly good-for-you curiosity that they will never engage in. But what if you thought about meditation a bit differently?
What if you thought about it as the very necessary process of taking care of your brain in a world increasingly overcrowded with stress and distraction?
Now meditation can become difficult, we’ll admit it but working out your mind is no different than working out your body – you just need to start somewhere. If our mind isn’t healthy, then our perspective of life isn’t healthy as a result.
On this week’s starter, we look at 6 meditation apps that will have your brain feeling healthier than it’s felt in a long, long time.

Meditation and relaxation apps for your smartphone

  • The Mindfulness App

Android TipsiPhone – 4.6 stars with 551 ratings – $2.99
Android – 4.2 stars with 280 ratings – $1.99
This is a popular option in both the Google Play Store as well as on itunes. The Mindfulness App is straightforward and simple. Guided meditation sessions can span from 3 to 30 minutes.
Silent meditation sessions alert you with gentle bells. You can personalize your own meditation session too. The app even reminds you when it’s time to meditate, so you can keep up a regular practice.
It helps you with the most difficult aspect of Mindfulness practice – namely to remember to be mindful.

  • Take a Break!
Android Tips

iPhone – 4.5 stars with 544 ratings – Free
Android – 4.2 stars with 483 ratings – Free
In the middle of a busy day, sometimes you just need to take a break! This app is designed to help you do just that. It offers two meditation sessions: one is 7 minutes, and the other is 13.
Slip into a place of calm amidst the chaos and let the world’s worries slip away, at least for a little bit. “The few minutes spent listening to this app gives me the rejuvenation needed for the rest of my busy day,” says Apple user Michaella Parlor.

  • Headspace
Android Tips

iPhone – 4+ stars with 711 ratings
Android – 4.3 stars with 12147 ratings
Headspace is an app that teaches you to meditate.
What you get:
– Free access to Take10, Level 1 of the Foundation Course – learn the basics in 10 x 10 minute meditations
– Personalised progress page to track your stats
– Buddy system for you and your friends to motivate each other in your journey’s
– Rewards for regular meditation
– Reminders to keep you on track with your practice
– Options for you to continue your journey after Take10, with inspiring packs and one off sessions on a range of topics such stress, happiness and appreciation
– Ability to download sessions for offline use

  • Meditate

Android – 3.9 stars with 959 ratings – Free

Android TipsOne of the most beautiful parts of meditating in meditation centers is the ambiance and environment you can enjoy. In part, the Meditate app helps you experience that in the comfort of your own home or office—thanks to the sounds of Tibetan singing bowls.

Quickly choose between single mode or highly customizable meditation plans directly after application starts.

Make notes after each meditation’s session. All of them will be stored in your history and statistic charts for further reviewing or editing if you want that.

  • Breathe2Relax

Android Tips
iPhone – 4.5 stars with 284 ratings – Free
Android – 4.1 stars with 234 ratings – Free

When you were upset or mad as a child, you may have been told to breathe deeply and count to 10. Breathing is a powerful tool over your mind and body, so the same idea may help you deal with stress and anxiety as an adult.
Let the Breathe2Relax app guide you through breathing sessions. You’ll be more relaxed, have less anger, and find a better mood. “It is able to take me from considerably tense to relaxed in just 4 minutes,” says Apple user Craig1234.

  • Buddhist Meditation Trainer

Android – 4.6 stars with 18,974 ratings – Free

Android TipsMeditation has become a secular way of connecting with yourself and your environment. Its origins, however, are in the ancient religion Buddhism. The ultimate goal of Buddhist meditation is to reach enlightenment, a place of greater understanding and knowledge.
With a daily reminder, this app is designed to help you remain accountable to your meditation practice. It also provides enlightening quotes you can use to guide your meditation. The app’s meditation levels help you progress by challenging you with longer sessions.

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