We live in a fast paced world with a generation that is constantly using gadgets and gizmos, far more than we have done in the past. With so much of the online world surrounding us it can be easy to get sucked in and be affected by all of this constant contact. For lots of us this advancement in the way we use our gadgets is fantastic and being able to keep in touch with friends and family at the touch of a button for many users is invaluable.
However; with it being constant it can sometimes feel as though it’s taking over and that can affect the think and feel if you’re not careful. We’re at risk of social media and the like taking over, which can be a bit much sometimes.
That doesn’t mean that technology like this is only bad, in fact it can have many good points. For example there is an app for pretty much everything now, so life can be easier in so many ways. It is well worth looking into apps to help with mindfulness – that way you get to combine things like smartphones and tablets with helping your mind to feel better and that is a feeling that can’t be beaten. We already know about the benefits of meditation so why not bring them into modern technology and give yourself the best of both worlds.
Available on both Android and iOS, Headspace is an app that comes with celebrity endorsement if that’s your thing. It’s a British developed app that comes complete with endorsement from Emma Watson.
This app is great for people who are unsure about the benefits of meditation because it starts off slow as you build confidence and progress with ability. It has a 10 session pack that you can download for free and then additional chargeable downloads if you wish to continue.
Another app that is available on both Android and iOS, it’s developed as a very affordable option to introduce you to guided meditations and mindfulness. It is less than £4 to buy from the app store and then has no other add-ons or in-app purchases needed.
Once you load the app you can see a number of themes to choose from depending on what you need at the time. There are 80 different themes and tracks to choose from for your guided meditation, so there is always something to suit exactly what you need with stats and graphs to help monitor and track your progress.
This app has been designed to help you meditate at home, without the worry of having to go join a group or a workshop to get help doing it.
The good thing about this app is that it teaches you about the science and the benefits to meditation and how it helps. It then teaches you how to do it, in small easy to digest chunks. Access is free for 7 days and then you can pick whether you want to continue with it or not.
Downloadable on both Android and iOS this is one of the most comprehensive apps we have come across.
There is a whole host of meditation tracks available on the app, with or without speech over the top. There are all sorts of track lengths ranging right up to 30 minutes long so whether you need a quick fix or something more substantial there will be something to suit your needs. You can choose pay for individual tracks or a monthly fee, depending on how often you use the app.
Smiling Mind is something a bit different to many of the other apps because it was originally designed to be used by children.
Teenagers and young adults are often forgotten when it comes to the need for mindfulness so we were impressed with this app when we came across it – and of course there’s nothing to stop adults using it either. On top of that it’s completely free to download!
We know that life can be busy and sometimes it can feel as though we don’t have time in our day to take time out to meditate. With apps like the ones above you can take a few minutes to yourself whenever possible – even when you’re on the move. These can really help to bring you back to your centre, refocus and get yourself back on track. The stresses and strains of life can be a lot to deal with, so having something to help that you can carry around with you and use at any time really can be invaluable. If you want to try and go further than using an app why not try our Mindfulness Retreat
