Stressed Out? Me Too. Maybe A Meditation App Will Help.

By
Marc

To reduce stress, my wife and I hike, jog, and go to the gym at least once a week to pump iron (at least, we used to)!

Meditation also helps, and I do that a few times each week.

This COVID-19 crisis has stressed us out - and many people I'm sure - which is why I wanted to share this article I saw on AARP recently about meditation apps (link below).

I've never used a meditation app before, but some of the doctors and nurses my wife works with do. She says they are useful, and her friends use them to "bring it down a notch" whenever needed. 

(I don't know what kind of apps they use but will find out).

I do know that some of the apps offer a short meditation period - like just a few minutes - which I want to try out.

Here are a few of the meditation apps the AARP article recommends:

#1. The App: CALM

Great name.

 Apparently one of the most popular apps, it is a meditation and mindfulness app with guided sessions that range from 3 to 25 minutes long. It is designed for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced users and offers seven and 21-day programs.

It also offers meditation topics: Such as Breaking Habits, Calming Anxiety, Concentration, Deep Sleep, Focus, Forgiveness, Happiness, Managing Stress or Self-Esteem. 

That seems like a cool feature.

While the app has free sessions to get you started, subscriptions are $14.99 a month or $59.99 a year. Subscribers get full access to all the instructions, a new 10-minute program added daily, more than 100 Sleep Stories, breathing exercises, relaxing nature sounds and more.

You can bet I will try out the relaxing nature option.

#2. The App: HEADSPACE: MEDITATION & SLEEP

This app features an easy-to-use interface and offers a free beginner series called “Take10” : 10 sessions, each 10 minutes long, over 10 days — using proven meditation and mindfulness techniques that could help clear your head, enjoy greater happiness, reduce stress, and sleep better.

Nice.

Available for iOS, Android, Amazon and the web, the lessons include stat tracking, rewards and an optional buddy system so friends can motivate each other.

If you want more than the introductory “Take10,” Headspace offers a subscription for $12.99 a month or $94.99 per year. This gives you access to SOS sessions for moments of panic and stress. Newly added sessions include “The Wake Up,” short real-life stories and advice to keep you inspired throughout the day, and “Move Mode,” which exercises your mind and body at the same time through guided workouts.

Sounds like a really comprehensive app.

#3. The App: SIMPLE HABIT

Feel Better in Five Minutes.

That's what this app hopes to accomplish.

"Built for busy people,” the on-demand mindfulness and meditation platform offers short lessons and features from more than 1,000 sessions. Mindfulness teachers from around the world — including former monks — guide the sessions.

Meditation series include “Drift to Sleep,” “Meditate in Nature” and “Sharpen Focus.” Or follow the instructor of your choice. Check out Australia's Kate James with her soothing voice and helpful instruction.

More than a dozen sessions are free, with an option to upgrade to a premium version for $11.99 a month or $95.99 a year. A paid account gives you access to meditations offline.

... Okay.

#4. The App: TEN PERCENT HAPPIER

Designed for “fidgety skeptics,” the Ten Percent offers clear and simple meditation lessons — with video.

New York Times bestselling author and an ABC News anchor, Dan Harris, leads the app. He suffered an on-air panic attack in 2004, which prompted him to write the book 10% Happier. The app features quick meditations, which you can do whenever you have a spare moment, from many respected teachers.

(I will try some of those quick options out).

Available for iOS, Android and the web, Ten Percent Happier offers free access to a seven-session introductory course, advice, daily meditation videos that include offline access, guided audio lessons for when you can't look at a screen and tips for applying mindfulness to your personal and professional lives. 

The app is free to download and use. But members get a lot more content, such as a library of more than 500 guided meditations, for $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year.

- - - I am going to try out a few of the options above to see if they work for me. The free trials make it a no brainer.  

If you try them also, I hope at least one works for you :)

Here is a link to the original AARP article: 

 

 

 

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