Have you ever experienced stress that affects both your physical and mental health? An underrated solution can be found in meditation apps.
Meditation apps guide users through breathing and meditation exercises that have been proven to support users dealing with little to great amounts of stress in their daily lives. In the research study Evaluating Mindfulness Meditation Apps by Claudia Daudén Roquet and Corina Sas, they filtered out of 280 meditation apps on the Apple iTunes store, 16 apps that averaged over three stars and were rated by professionals.
Roquet and Sas then completed tests using an iPhone 6S with 30-minute sessions to decide if they had an impact on the subjects. These 16 apps can be found here.
Roquet and Sas write “The prevailing attention on mindfulness and the accessibility of mobile applications in daily life has increased the amount of MBAs. Recent findings indicate their effectiveness on stress reduction [3,4], and improving well-being [5].” With the recent understanding of self-care and mindfulness, the increase of these MBA’s (Mindfulness-Based Applications) has been prominent on the App Store.
Luckily, MBAs are customizable and have many options for every type of listener. Whether it’s breathing exercises or nature sounds, these apps have it all. One of the most effective ways to meditate is with the app “Insight Timer.” While this may be different from guided meditation, studies have shown that independent meditation has just as many benefits. On Insight Timer, users are queued in to meditate with the sound of a singular bell. The session ends once the kangse bell goes off again.
For listeners looking for a more interactive experience, apps like “Headspace” and “Calm” are capable of sufficing users’ needs. In the app Headspace, a speaker walks users through a full-body meditation. The app recommends sitting in a chair to meditate during the session, as well as closing your eyes.
The app Calm is a verbal meditation platform designed for users to note their body’s health and mental state. Listeners are recommended to sit on a cushion or couch for the best experience. In the sessions, counting breaths and gentle breathing are some of the techniques mainly used. The app provides nature sounds of your choosing for
the utmost relaxation.
When you find your mind wandering and stressed, download a meditation app today to help manage your thoughts.
