15 Meditation Apps for People Who Hate Meditating
15 Meditation Apps for People Who Hate Meditating
Meditation may have been around for thousands of years, but it's only recently become mainstream in America. Research is limited, but regular meditation may lower anxiety, reduce stress, and improve sleep, according to the National Institute of Health.
Major stars from Michael B. Jordan to Jared Leto espouse the benefits of meditation to keep them in shape mentally. Even just five minutes of morning meditation early on can help you start your day calmer and more focused. Research shows that it can boost your attention span, facilitate creative problem solving and even improve performance at work.
That all sounds great, but starting can be difficult—or even stressful for some. It's common to worry about how long or when you should meditate.
If meditation is hard for you, try a meditation app to help you get started. Using an app, you can incorporate meditation into your daily routine almost seamlessly, using audio, visuals, and curated sounds to help you begin your practice.
But no meditation is one size fits all. It's best to find a meditation app that suits your personal and mental needs to help you get the most of a daily meditation practice.
Are you looking for an app that's primarily visual? Maybe you want an app that incorporates longer meditations so you can focus on your practice while you work or exercise. Perhaps a meditation app that also includes mindfulness-centered workouts?
Try one of these 15 apps to get started with your meditation practice.
1) Headspace
The most recognizable meditation app, Headspace offers hundreds of guided lessons to help you sleep, focus, or feel more energized.
People who enjoy more physical activities will like move mode, which includes short workouts ranging from yoga to light cardio.
Cost: $5.83 to $12.99 per month, but there are plenty of free practices at https://www.headspace.com/covid-19
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
2) Calm
This app is great for beginners and people who are short on time. Guided sessions start at just three minutes, but there are longer options, too. Even better, you can choose to focus on the areas you want to work on most, like gratitude, anxiety, or self-esteem.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
3) Aura
Aura offers personalized meditation based on whatever mood you select. There's also calming music, stories, and life coaching sessions available.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
4) Insight TImer
Practice with some of the most famous teachers and musicians in the world, including Tara Brach, PhD, founder of Insight Meditation Community of Washington; Gil Fronsdal, PhD at Stanford University; and Moby.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
5) Smiling Mind
Mindfulness is a key part of meditation, and this free app aims to help you be present. It was developed by a psychologist to improve sleep, lower stress, and increase focus. Use it alone or before you meditate.
Cost: Free
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
6) Simple Habit
Convinced you don't have time to meditate? Simple Habit claims to be the meditation app for busy people. Recordings are short and can be practiced even while commuting. There's a lesson to improve nearly every aspect of your life, including love and sex.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
7) 10% Happier
Based on the popular book by journalist Dan Harris, the app is geared towards people who are skeptical of meditation. Sessions are presented in a straight-forward and humorous approach. New content is released weekly, so there's always something new to look forward to.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
8) Journey
If you thrive off real-time classes, Journey may be the app for you. They offer live meditations throughout the day, so it feels like you're working with a teacher IRL.
Cost: $19.99 per month
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
9) Glo
Glo is costly, but it's more than a meditation app. You'll also find yoga and pilates to suit a variety of experience levels—all taught by top-notch instructors. In fact, the instruction rivals in-person classes, according to some reviewers.
Cost: $22.99 per month
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
10) Sattva
Saatva offers meditations based on ancient Vedic principles. In addition to guided meditations, you can also enjoy sacred Sanskrit chants, mantras, and music. View your progress by using the mood tracker before and after meditations.
Cost: $12.99 per month
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
11) MyLife Meditation
Struggling to wind down? MyLife helps you do just that through custom meditation "journeys" to help you get what you need out fo each session.
The app curates a selection of meditations and activities to practice mindfulness in a way that works for you. Sounds perfect for the meditation beginner.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
12) Liberate
$9.99
This meditation app offers practices and talks designed for BIPOC communities. Meditations are offered by leading BIPOC meditation teachers. The app contains more than 240 meditations plus numerous talks.
Cost: 7 days free, then $9.99 monthly or $71.99 annually.
13) Meditation Nest
Centered around quick meditations, Meditation Nest helps you squeeze in time for yourself when you feel there is none.
Using a variety of sounds, the app aims to help you focus, fall asleep faster, come down from a panic, or just all-around relax, no meditation experience necessary.
Cost: 3 Days free, then $17.99 a month
Find it: Apple Store
14) Mindfulness
More than just a meditation app, this app guides you through yoga, stretches, and other mindfulness exercises to help you make the most of your day.
If you're looking to incorporate meditative practices into physical activity, this is the app for you.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
15) Breethe
Breethe immediately greets you with soothing music, giving you zen the moment you open the app. The meditation library is vast, helping you create a custom meditation playlist that works with you throughout the day, making meditation a frequent practice rather than a one-and-done thing
An awesome bonus? Pre-recorded "therapy" sessions that talk to you when you're struggling with a specific life aspect like body image or work.
Cost: Free, in-app purchases
Find it: Apple Store and Google Play
These 15 meditation apps make it easier to get started with your practice, so you'll feel more calm, relaxed, focused, and able to live better every day.