It is proven that mindfulness can help relieve stress, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, combat anxiety, aid mental health and even help with chronic pain. In light of this, we’ve sieved through the reviews on Google Play and the Apple App Store to find out which apps are the most downloaded and more importantly, which ones appear to do what they claim to…
Headspace
www.headspace.com
Even those who haven’t delved into the world of mindfulness and relaxation have probably heard a friend or colleague mention Headspace. This is one of the most popular apps and offers courses on various mindfulness goals including Managing Anxiety, Navigating Change and Restfulness. With relaxing sounds to help you fall asleep and guided workouts to energise and inspire, this is definitely one to check out.
User review: This outstanding app helps with stress and anxiety and make you feel happy and relaxed!
Aura
www.aurahealth.io
When you open the Aura app it will ask ‘What brings you here today’, it then goes on to offer options such as Calm Anxiety, Healing, Sleep Better and Improve Focus and producers say that this instantly helps the user to centre their day. Aura boasts endless personalisation which is one of the reasons it has been so popular, and these have all been selected by world-renowned therapists and life coaches.
User review: I feel light and happy, only within about 12 days. My family, and friends actually want to talk to me again. They instantly noticed I was me again but better.
Calm
www.calm.com
The Calm app boasts that it allows listeners to build on their self-esteem, sleep better and increase their day-to-day happiness through guided meditations. All of these attributes go hand in hand to combat panic and anxiety – a growing problem among society.
A nice touch is that this app offers a ‘Daily Calm’ meditation which is perfect for you to stay structured in your approach to mindfulness and wellbeing.
User review: I love this app! The meditations have helped me so much! I use it nearly every night, and it’s helped me become calmer and more resilient.
Insight Timer
www.insighttimer.com
This app is 100% free with no subscriptions or paid add-ons to worry about which is a real bonus compared to a few on our list. Insight Timer is a very popular up and coming app which offers guided meditation from some very famous faces, including Russel Brand, Goldie Hawn, Gisele Bündchen and Elizabeth Gilbert.
There are regular events on the Insight Timer website for you to join such as the Transformative Power of Soul Consciousness and Pathways to Self-Love. If you’re going to try one app from our list, then we would probably recommend starting here.
User review: I love this so and use it daily. There is so much great content available for free with some fantastic teachers
Pzizz
www.pzizz.com
Pzizz is a good app for those of you working from home that may need some help concentrating instead of worrying about hoovering or tackling the washing basket!
This app offers a combination of voice-overs, sound effects & music to create the perfect environment for you requirements. Our favourite is the ‘Focuscapes’ for when you really need to get your head down and fully concentrate.
User review (This one’s from JK Rowling!): I love Pzizz… Best I’ve used by a mile
Have you been practicing relaxation techniques during lockdown? Perhaps you’ve found an app you can’t live without or a Youtube channel which you’re enjoying following? Let us know on our Facebook or Twitter pages.