FOUR GREAT APPS FOR MEDITATION

Meditation has been proven to reduce stress and maintain a healthy mindset. From arthritis to depression, weight loss to ADHD, the practice of mindful meditation can boost health and even lower your brain activity at night, preparing your body for a better night’s sleep. There are several apps available to help guide meditation beginners, and some that help pros create the necessary time and space. Below are four apps that make meditation easy and rewarding.

Stop, Breathe & Think
This app encourages users to acknowledge potential pain but continue to live in the present, while placing an emphasis on kindness as the result. The app is geared toward teens, and once it prompts them to say how they are feeling, the app provides a relevant guided meditation. The best part about this app is that it’s free. Stop, Breathe & Think provides a daily reminder and option to invite your future self to repeat the next day.

Ignite
Ignite isn’t a meditation app but you can use it like one. For those who have meditation down but can’t seem to find the time, Ignite is a habit tracker for whatever habit you’d like to acquire. The best part about this app is that you’re the boss. You pick how long and when you meditate, and you guide yourself through your own journey. Whether you’re trying to center yourself daily, drink more water, or go to bed earlier, Ignite can keep you on track.

Headspace
Headspace is perfect for beginner meditators. The soothing narrator calmly brings listeners back to focus with gentle reminders and tricks to keep your body and mind centered. As a Headspace fan, I have one critique that also serves as a benefit: I’ve never made it through a session without falling asleep! This is perfect for restless nights, but not ideal for active meditation. However, the app does offer a fun feature which lets you and a friend encourage each other’s meditation progress.

Relax Melodies
If you want to fall asleep, meditate, do yoga, or all three, Relax Melodies can help. This app is free and offers peaceful sounds to clear your brain space. It includes a number of white noise and atmospheric sounds (Camping Night is a popular choice), and it offers guided meditations to boost self esteem or up your creativity. For those using Relax Melodies right before bed, just use the useful timer so that your battery doesn’t fall asleep as well.