I learned to re-label my phone and tablet as ‘life helpers’ rather than ‘productivity tools’. The latter title makes them seem harsh and unsavory, like early prototypes of birthing forceps. Thinking of my ‘productivity tools’ constantly hovering over my life stresses me out more than keeps me calm.
By forcing myself to adapt to new uses for my tech gear, I allowed the devices to integrate into my life to help me, not haunt me. The advent of wide-range smartphone use comes with a plethora of applications out on a mission to solve your problems. You may gravitate toward the productivity and diet tracking/fitness apps, I’m going to suggest you take a different approach. At least once a week instead of tightly tracking your life, turn on a meditation app and tune into the free flow of life.
What do you get out of it? The benefits of meditation are staggering:
-Reduced stress (it lowers cortisol levels!)
– Increased self-awareness
-Reduction of negative emotions
-Anxiety reduction
-Higher creativity
-Increased memory
-Increased compassion
-Better sleep
-Weight management support
I’m not going to tell you how often you should do it although daily meditation is recommended. The important part is to establish consistency. If you’re still unconvinced, check out what happened when I meditated daily for a month. Head’s up, it’s 3 months later and I’m still meditating.
The following apps will help you reap the benefits of meditation as well as help you with reminders:
1. Simple Habit
Platform: Apple iOS & Android
Cost: Free or $11.99 for a premium subscription
Rating: 4.8 stars
I chose this app for my meditation routine when I started my 30-day journey and never looked back. There are hundreds of meditations and coaching sessions to choose from and I settled on simple learning to breathe meditations at the start of my journey. The variety spans from breathing exercises to motivation while working out and bedtime stories to fall asleep to!
I loved it so much I opted for the premium version, with my meditation evolving into a full habit.
2. Headspace: Meditation & Sleep
Platform: Apple iOS
Cost: Free to start with $12.99/month option
Rating: 4.9 stars
The Headspace meditation app combines hundreds of great-quality meditations in a fun interface so you’re more likely to come back. You can choose from meditations related to work, stress, workouts, sleep, and general positivity. They even have a meditation section for kids, so the entire family can do it. The price point is steep, but the quality is top-notch.
3. Breethe, Meditation & Sleep
Platform: Apple iOS & Android
Cost: Free with the option to upgrade for $12.99/month
Rating: 4.7 stars
Get started with meditation with the app’s 12-week program so you can build a habit. This app also offers hypnotherapy sessions in addition to motivational and coaching talks.
4. Calm
Platform: Apple iOS & Android
Cost: Free to start and $14.99/month premium
Rating: 4.8 stars
This app is still on my phone despite my subscription to Simple Habit. I love the great interface and the enormous variety the meditation app offers. The monthly subscription is a bit pricey, but they often come out with new material so you never get bored.
5. Aura: Sleep & Mindfulness
Platform: Apple iOS & Android
Cost: Free to start and $11.99/month premium
Rating: 4.7 stars
Aura does a fantastic job of personalizing what you need in your life right now so you don’t have to sift through hundreds of meditations. The daily check-in allows you to state your mood so it can choose an appropriate meditation for you. The free option is fairly limiting but it still allows you to explore the app and meditate.
6. Ten Percent Happier Meditation
Platform: Apple iOS
Cost: Free to start and $9.99/month premium
Rating: 4.8 stars
The Emmy award-winning journalist Dan Harris’s meditation empire now includes an app where he teaches alongside meditation and wellness gurus. The quality of the meditations and the teachers are top-notch so you’re sure to have access to the cream of the crop talent in this industry.
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