The Best Meditation Apps of 2022
Meditation is becoming a popular form of self-care.
Who knew that the simple task of meditating would become so popular? The practice has recently reached some pretty impressive popularity milestones, with more than 21 million people using meditation apps to get their zen on.
That said, there are a lot of meditation apps out there, and not all of them are worth downloading, we’re here to help you find the best one based on your needs and preferences. No matter what kind of app you’re looking for, our analysis will help you find it.
Why Use Meditation Apps?
In today’s fast-paced, stressful world meditation is a necessary habit that can reduce stress and anxiety. Many individuals use meditation apps to help them achieve a relaxed, meditative state to receive personal benefits such as improved cognitive function and pain management.
With so many different meditation apps on the market, it can be difficult for users to figure out which is best for them. That’s why we’ve put together our list of top picks for meditation apps currently available in stores and online. I hope you will find this story useful.
Do Meditation Apps Really Work?
More and more Americans are trying meditation as a means to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of chronic diseases. While we don’t necessarily recommend that people throw out their therapy dogs or leave their Zoloft prescriptions behind, if you’re feeling like there’s nothing left to try and want to embrace natural solutions, meditation may be for you.
But before you start binging on guided meditations on YouTube (or downloading dozens of apps), it’s important to know what types of meditation work best for which problems.
Read on for my top-rated and most effective meditation apps available now.
App #1: Insight Timer
A meditation app that provides guided meditations, music, and more. Features an in-app store where you can purchase guided meditation series such as a 7-day depression relief course.
The app also has Insight Timer Events which are live guided meditations that anyone can host or listen along to online. This is one of my favorite apps. It’s free to download with in-app purchases available. I use it every day.
App #2: Simple Habit
While there are hundreds of mindfulness and meditation apps out there, I find Simple Habit to be among my favorites. This app asks users to meditate for just five minutes per day. The design is beautiful, simple, and intuitive with soothing music that helps you center yourself.
While five minutes might not seem like much time to devote each day, try doing just a few sessions each week and see how it improves your mood or productivity at work or school.
Over time, you can gradually add more minutes. For now, we’re focused on small goals. Just being mindful about our time, our attention span and even our posture can make all the difference in feeling happier and less stressed as we tackle any new challenge or opportunity in life.
App #3: Stop, Breathe & Think
Stopping to breathe helps ease anxiety and makes you feel calmer. It’s a useful mental break from any daily stresses, too.
If your mind is racing at work or school, meditation will help bring your attention back to a single point, making it easier to focus for longer.
If you find it hard to meditate by yourself, apps can be a big help as well; some are even tailored for specific purposes like helping fall asleep or deal with stress and anxiety.
App #4: Smiling Mind
One of my other favorite apps, Smiling Mind is incredibly easy to use and has loads of audio options. There are meditations ranging from 4 to 45 minutes so it’s good for both beginners and experts.
The app also allows you to set reminders so you don’t forget to meditate each day. I love that you can take surveys at various points throughout your practice, sharing how well it’s working for you.
With more than 500 guided meditations and counting, there’s a lot to choose from if you’re just starting out but also if meditation is already part of your routine.
App #5: Peak Meditation
Not all meditation apps are created equal, but here are a few that offer great experiences without requiring a hefty investment: Calm and Insight Timer, which come from real experts in mindfulness meditation. (Both cost about $5/month.)
Headspace is based on cognitive behavioral therapy and thus a good choice for those with mental health issues or anxiety. And Stop, Breathe & Think has been around since 2008 and is quite reliable, especially if you’re looking for guided sessions specifically designed to help you fall asleep.
Note that these best free meditations do require some form of commitment, you’ll likely get out what you put in.
Best Free Meditation Apps
Headspace, Calm, and Gaia (Now Apple Health) are all free meditation apps that allow you to choose from a variety of meditation types. The best free meditation app for beginners is Headspace because it does not require a subscription to use any of its features.
There is also a standard 14-day trial for those who prefer some guidance when first starting out on their mediation journey.
Headspace offers Guided Meditations, Sit and Be’s, Daily Sessions, and Healthy Habits along with Sleep Stories that help you fall asleep fast in just a few minutes.
This free app was voted one of TIME Magazine’s Top 25 iPhone apps in 2011. If you have an iPhone or iPad, they also have versions specifically designed for each device.
Conclusion
Use meditation apps on your smartphone. There are many benefits to using a mindfulness app, including easy access and convenience. Your phone is right there with you 24/7; at work, in your car, when you’re out shopping, or hanging out with friends.
Plus, any short break from reality can become an opportunity to take a few minutes for yourself and get present. No matter what app you choose or why you’re interested in meditation, to begin with, make sure it works for your lifestyle and preferences and that it stays fun.
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