Our 5 favourite meditation apps
Let’s face it, this year isn’t necessarily going to plan... After 2020, we all had very high hopes for 2021, be it trips, life events, and even just looking forward to sitting in a pub or restaurant without a mask. Beyond the pandemic affecting our lives in terms of physical well being - not being able to go to the gym or walk to work or even play most sports - the mental toll it is taking on people cannot be underestimated, with many feeling anxious, worried and isolated.
With the weather still being a bit dreary in the northern hemisphere, and with restrictions still in full force, all of it can sometimes get a bit much. Which is why we wanted to share 5 meditation apps that we love!
Meditation can sound silly at first, even boring, but guided meditation can help increase mindfulness and awareness of one’s emotions and behaviour. By helping us notice signs of stress, anxiety and low moods earlier, meditation helps us stand back from our thoughts and start to see their patterns, making it easier to prevent feeling blue and tackle anxious or stressful moments.
Sold? Here is our list of the ones to try:
1. Calm
Calm is probably one of the most well known apps on the market, focusing is on meditation, sleep and relaxation. With its expansive library of guided meditations, including sleep stories, courses that last multiple days and soundscapes, it is one of the most popular and complete apps. With new series available, such as the “Daily Trip” and “The Spark”, users can always be sure there is original content for them to explore.
Some of its features include a relaxing greeting with outdoors sounds (which you get to choose according to your preference), and a gratitude check-in feature that helps remind you of what you are grateful for today.
While it offers a 7-day free trial, you will need a subscription thereafter, priced yearly at £28.99. With this you get access to their entire library, including a “Daily Calm” - a 10mins meditation - every day, exclusive music tracks, masterclasses and Calm Body programmes.
2. Headspace
Another well known and long-running meditation app, Headspace is great for learning the basics of meditation and mindfulness as it boasts a huge number of guided meditations with focus on different areas, such as stress, anxiety or focus. It does also offer “pro” courses for the more experienced ones out there. For those in between those two levels, there are a variety of guided programmes to suit anyone’s needs - including mindfulness exercises to do whilst cooking, and SOS sessions designed to help users to go back to sleep if they wake in the middle of the night.
You’ll get one week for free if you opt for the monthly plan (£9.99 a month) or two weeks for free if you go for the yearly plan (£49.99). They also offer student and family plans. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the app is available for free to all NHS workers.
3. Balance
Self-described as the first “personalised meditation” app. The programme asks its users questions everyday about their goals, meditation experience and challenges, then it assembles meditations to suit your needs from a variety of audio files. Understandably, the more you share and use the app, the more it can target your specific needs.
The handy benefit is that because it is focused on personalising your experience, you can choose the length and focus of your guided programme to fit your schedule and energy levels, making it easier to stick with it. It also offers an array of experiences, including morning meditations, nature sounds, and “energise” sessions.
Balance offers all users a 10-day personalised foundation plan based on their goals for free. Following that you can choose from either their yearly plan (£67.99) or their monthly one (£11.49 per month).
4. Insight Timer
With a huge array of free guided meditations, Insight Timer might seem a little intense at first, but it offers a huge variety of content which means that you get a chance to try different kinds of experiences and programmes - from focus to sleep, and everything in between.The first screen will show you a map with everyone using the app at the same time, providing the feel of community from the start and showing you you are not alone.
While its library comprises about 45,000 guided meditations, there are specific programmes for beginners who might find the amount of content slightly overwhelming. The app also offers features such as a timer to track your meditation time, stats and milestones to track your progress, and discussion groups as well as community features.
The free version offers access to thousands of tracks and classes, however if you would like a higher quality audio, advance player features (pause, rewind, fastforward, etc) and access insight courses the Plus option costs £55.99 a year.
5. Buddhify
Buddhify focuses on mobile meditation, or on-the-go, that you will be able to do “wherever you are, whatever you are doing”. If you are more interested in the traditional approach, don’t worry, they still offer formal meditation exercises.
The design is very simple, it opens with a colour wheel from which you choose how you are feeling or what you would like to do and then the system gives you the exercise that fits the moment. The meditations last from 4mins to 30mins and there is also a feature to edit the wheel to make it more relevant to each user, according to personal preferences.
Buddhify also offers exercises that are only available if you are doing them with another person, and so allows you to share mindfulness with friends and family - which is a nice touch during the pandemic!
In contrast to other apps, Buddhify has no free content, it is a one-off cost of £4.99 for the app and no in-app purchases.
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