Whether you’re looking to improve your sleep, lower stress, or gain better focus, these meditation apps can help.
The Best Meditation Apps for a Moment of Calm in the New Year
This past year has been tough on everyone, creating further motivation to practice self-care as we begin 2021. Meditation can be an effective, low-cost way to deal with stress, and you don’t need a coach or class to learn key techniques. The best meditation apps provide calming guidance when anxiety and overwhelming feelings arise. There are many on the market—including Liberate, a meditation app designed for Black, Indigenous and other people of color; as well as Headspace, which is equipped with mindful workouts, sleep sounds, and guided meditations with soothing voices that will carry you into a state of bliss, no matter where you are or how much time you have.
Whether you’re looking to improve your quality of sleep, find a moment of escape over lunch, or start your new year off on a peaceful note with an intention-setting meditation, one of the 13 best meditation apps below is bound to fit your daily needs and routine.
Headspace
Headspace offers courses on various mindfulness goals such as Navigating Change, Managing Anxiety, Restfulness, and more. The app also has guided workouts and soothing sounds to help you fall asleep. They’re offering a free year of access to Headspace meditation for anyone who is currently unemployed.
Headspace
$13Headspace
Manduka Recycled Foam Yoga Block
$16MandukaLiberate
Liberate was created by Julio Rivera for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. The meditations are geared toward helping listeners heal from the traumas of racism, and to allow the community to feel seen and uplifted.
Liberate Meditation
$10Liberate Meditation
Haoma Temple Balm
Ease her anxieties with this balm—a blend of cannabidiol; skullcap, which helps to quiet racing thoughts; American ginseng for memory improvement; and chamomile and lemon balm that deliver a sense of calm—that she can rub on temples or pressure points before meditating, or whenever stress arises.$45HAOMAAura
Aura asks, “What brings you here today?” Then it offers options like Sleep Better, Calm Anxiety, Healing, and Improve Focus to help each user better center their day.
Aura
$12Aura
Walden Meditation Cushion Set
$195BLOOMINGDALESCalm
The Calm app helps listeners to build self-esteem, lean into gratitude, and sleep better while increasing happiness through guided meditations that ease panic and anxiety. There is also a new Daily Calm meditation each day, perfect for those who are wanting to cultivate a consistent practice while switching up prompts.
Calm
$6Calm
Natural Vitality Calm Magnesium Citrate Supplement
$25Natural VitalityZen: Meditation & Sleep
Zen promotes emotional balance through meditations that help with happiness and better sleep quality. New offerings are often added to the app, which has recordings that range from meditations to improve focus while working, to background sounds that help enhance sex.
Zen
$13Zen
Retrospec Sedona Zafu Yoga Meditation Cushion
$21RetrospecTen Percent Happier Meditation
Ten Percent Happier offers meditations that help listeners focus while at work. They also have live meditations for a “virtual break from social distancing”at 3 p.m. ET every weekday. They also feature a free Coronavirus Sanity Guide—a good place to start.
Ten Percent Happier
$8Ten Percent Happier
Manduka Cotton Blanket
$38MandukaMeditation App
Through a subscription, listeners get access to more than 150 meditations and sleep-aiding sounds. There are meditations for every situation—Improve Productivity, Prepare for Your Day, and Control Your Breathing among them—and a plethora of gentle background sounds to create an overall relaxing vibe.
Meditation App
$16Meditation App
Manduka Lean Bolster
$56MandukaInsight Timer
Insight Timer includes meditations created by its community members, such as Alex Elle, Lalah Delia, Russell Brand, and Mooji. The app offers specific meditations for kids too.
Insight Timer
$5Insight Timer
Manduka Enlight Rectangular Bolster
$68MandukaInscape
Inscape is a meditation studio and wellness retail space whose app intends to offer a “state of zen on the go.” Meditations include soundscapes, breath work, and visualization journeys—a guided mindful image-creating technique that helps listeners achieve a state of calm and safety.
Inscape
$10Inscape
Manduka Enlight Round Bolster
$78MandukaSimple Habit
Simple Habit has meditations focused on specific situations and feelings. There’s an eating meditation to support mindful nutrition; for those contending with chronic pain, there’s Fibromyalgia Relief; while a PMS relief meditation helps bring calm during a menstrual cycle.
Simple Habit
$12Simple Habit
Rifle Paper Co. fable fabric journal
MyLife Meditation
MyLife app, once known as Stop, Breathe & Think, asks you how you’re feeling and includes the ability to log your emotions. The app will suggest personalized meditations that will help you find peace for whatever state of mind you’re in.
MyLife
$10MyLife
Jurlique Calming Blend Essential Oil
$29JURLIQUEBreethe
Breethe offers meditations for a wide range of needs, from anxiety to sleep help. The app is equipped with guided meditations, as well as meditation music for those who have their technique down pat. But for people who are new to the practice, Breethe features recommendations based on your goals, and a program for beginners.
Breethe
$13BREETHE
Bum-Cake Seashell Candle
$25SANCTUAIREExpectful
Expectful is a new meditation app designed for those who are pregnant, preparing to conceive, or navigating new parenthood. Whether you’re embarking on the journey for the first time, or you’re a seasoned parent, this app is meant to help you through any phase. Its library of meditations include ones designed for moments like first trimester, postpartum, urgent care, and healing.
Expectful
$10EXPECTFUL
The Cristalline Chakra Balancing Energy Palm Stone Set
$50SANCTUAIREThis story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Akili King
