5 of the best mindfulness apps

Musement shares five of the best mindfulness apps to help keep your mind sound this summer—or any time of the year for that matter.

If there’s one thing for sure, it’s likely that we all, for better or for worse, have spent a little too much time in our heads during the quarantine. Though we’re starting to return to a “new normal,” the pandemic still isn’t over. As we go about our daily grind, it seems ever more impossible for mindfulness to not come into play.

Yes, mindfulness is one of those terms that’s been thrown around a lot lately, yet to some, it’s still unclear as to what it means exactly. At its core, mindfulness is about being present in the current moment and an acceptance of what the moment brings. To help you keep your state of mind in order, here are five of the best mindfulness apps to maintain an even keel as we continue navigating these uncertain times.

1. Calm

If mindfulness isn’t novel to you, then there’s a chance you’re already familiar with Calm. This award-winning app is a treat, offering daily guided meditations as well as a collection of programs and individual meditations (both guided or not) to suit your desires. The Sleep Stories are narrated by actors and other notables, and when you open the app, it plays a nature-inspired soundtrack of your choice. Hear the ebb and flow of the waves, a hypnotic downpour of rain or mountain-themed ambiance, among others. The breathe bubble is perfect for those situations where you need a moment or two to collect yourself. Website

2. Headspace

One of the most popular mindfulness apps on the market, Headspace is especially dandy for beginners. The free 10-day basics course is a great way to become acquainted with the practice. Sessions are in three, five or ten-minute blocks, and aimed toward helping users in everyday life from relieving insomnia, seeking creativity, and building focus. If you wear an iWatch or monitor your health on your iPhone, you can sync Headspace with the iOS Health app. Website

https://www.instagram.com/p/CAnlQrznkV1/

3. Buddhify

Buddhify prides itself on being “the only meditation app designed to fit into a busy modern lifestyle.” Open the app to find a color wheel that you can personally customize, which lets you select the most appropriate mediations for the moment, from just waking up to a work break to being on the road to insomnia. Buddhify doesn’t let you have any excuse for not being able to weave mindfulness into your day. Website

4. Synctution

Synctution is quite a particular mindfulness app as it implements three-dimensional sounds and binaural beats (sounds that play slightly different frequencies into each ear in order to create a third frequency to relax the mind). So, needless to say, you should meditate with your headphones on to reap its benefits. This then prompts deep relaxation to lead to a healthy mind, improved sleep, and an increase in your overall well-being. Clear away all the chatter inside your head to help you recognize and access your intuition, and use this important innate tool in your daily life. Website

5. Insight Timer

Unlike the others—which while they’re free to download, offer membership packages and a few free meditation options—Insight Timer has more than 40,000 free sessions. Experts in the field, like the revered Indian Sadhguru, share their insight on all things mindfulness during specially dedicated sessions. The only drawback is that it might be a bit intimidating for newcomers, but a great place to start would be the “Learning to Meditate” category. The app also helps combat stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Website