They range from simple timers to extensive series of lessons and subscription tutorials.
Lets look a few, and what they can do for you.
Youre even meditating when you are beingmindfulaboutwashing the dishesorwalking around your neighborhood.
Depending on what you want to achieve by meditating, apps can help.
Some meditation apps promise to help your mental health.
If thats the case,contact a professionalor check outthese hotlines and support groupsin addition to meditating.
What you get for the money: Recordings of guided meditations for different occasions and purposes.
Some of the sessions start with a video that teaches you about a concept youll be using.
What you get with a subscription: Lots more guided meditations.
What you get for free: The soothing sound of waves on a beach, for starters.
All 28 scenes of nature sounds or soothing music are available in the free app.
Im partial to the falling rain on leaves.
What you get with a subscription: More of everything.
Unlike with Headspace, you’re free to jump from pack to pack as you like.
I can do the next session of either series whenever I like.
Todays is a ten-minute meditation on Acceptance.
The Bottom Line
Any of these apps can help you start or sustain a meditation practice.
Calm is the hybrid, letting you work through courses or do one-off meditations.
Calm is also the only one of the three that provides background sound.
Features of these apps are also available in other ways.
You canstream guided meditation tracks on Spotify, as well as nature sounds and chill music.
If all you need is a timer, it’s possible for you to usewell, a timer.
If you appreciate those features, that makes the app worthwhile.
Calm is my happy medium.
(I also love narratorTamara Levitts voice.)
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
