Top 3 Apps For Mindfulness & Meditation

You have to admit; everything nowadays is on our phones. There's very little you can achieve without a cellphone clutched in your hand, which is okay as long as, in one way or another, the dependence on these 'black mirrors' does not add to your anxiety and negatively affect your mental health. Luckily, the good thing about this golden age of technology is that you can get free professional assistance for almost everything.

Look, we will be the first to admit that not everything is 'free,' and that's true because all three of the apps we'll be talking up today all have great albeit limited content and premium unlimited content with paid subscriptions. But you'll find that you can do just fine with the free versions. So, without further ado, the first app that will help you in your journey for mindfulness and self-care is Headspace.

1. Headspace

Headspace is primarily a meditation app and is perfect for beginners. The app has astounding graphics that induce a state of calm from the minute you open the app. You can track your progress on the app with monthly check ins. If you're a beginner, the app is specifically designed to guide you through the different stages of meditation, and the complexity and range of exercises change as you progress.

Furthermore, if you're worried about the app's data consumption, worry not! You can still see some content if you're offline, making it convenient for people who might not always have WIFI access or have mobile data. The app is also available for both iOS and Android. There are four tabs on the app; meditate, sleep, move and focus. We have concentrated heavily on meditation, but we are confident that you will find everything you need from this app. Now, we are, of course, a bit cheap and have been using the free version of Headspace, but please, if you see content that you like and don't have access to, then, by all means, you can choose an annual subscription for R599,99 (R50,99/month) with the first 14 days free or a monthly subscription for R59,99 monthly with the first seven days free. We assure you, it's worth every penny.

Additionally, you can choose which voice you want to guide you through the various exercises. All the teachers have calming voices, and it's pretty fun exploring and listening to all the teacher's voices to find the one that soothes you the best. They are all qualified and have been in this industry for years, so there is no doubt that they'll have you meditating by yourself in no time. You can choose from; Andy, Eve, Dora or Kessonga, how cool is that?

2. Calm

Next up and a bit on the pricey side is the highly advertised and loved Calm. This app is top rated in its category. Like Headspace, there is a free version, and you can also opt for a paid subscription. When you first enter the app on iOS, there's an option to turn on push notifications for the whole experience and ensure you don't miss anything. You are then prompted to choose what you plan to achieve through the app, with various options from reducing anxiety, better sleep, reducing stress, and developing gratitude. The subscription fee for Calm is R739,99/year, with seven days free. The app is easily navigable, and there is even content for children. We combed social media for anything we could find about Calm, and all we found was positive feedback for the app.

Some teachers have even incorporated the app into their teaching, encouraging students to confront their mental health and take a vested interest in their wellness. The premium subscription even unlocks special talks from celebrities such as LeBron James. All in all, we give this app a 10/10.

"Mindfulness is a practice of letting go and relaxing into the present moment as it is. So, gently, relax, relax, relax." - Tamara Levitt #DailyCalm

3. Abide

Abide is a bit different from the other two apps in that it is rooted in Christianity and spiritual growth. It can help with loss, depression, growing in faith, bible reading, gratitude, and healing. The subscription fee is R609,99/year, with the first seven days free. Breathe deeply and abide in Christ is the key message of the app, and what sets it apart from the other two is that quite a lot of the content is available for free, so much so that you can get so much from it without breaking the bank. There is also content for children, like bedtime stories and a lot of subject matter to bring them closer to God if you're comfortable exploring that with them.

We can hardly believe just how much is available to us with just a simple download onto our phones. Although this app doesn't supersede going to church or taking time to study the bible, there are a lot of readings that can help one understand the Word and for beginners to know where to start. We thought it was important for our Christian readers to suggest an app that caters to their spiritual needs, and Abide is the perfect app.

So, whether you use an android device or iOS, these apps are easily accessible on both and can be downloaded on the respective App Stores. We would like to hear from you, our readers, about your experiences with these apps or other apps out there that serve the same purpose. Apps that can help people manage those small pockets of time out of their day that they allocate to meditation, mindfulness, and self-care because taking time out of your day to take care of yourself does wonders for your mental health.