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Why meditate?

Meditation is one of the best things you can do to take the stress out of your life. It helps lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to a reduction in overall stress.

It can help can improve your ability to handle difficult situations with greater ease and emotional stability.

Oh, and it can help you sleep better, focus more during the day, and have a genuinely beneficial impact on your all around well-being.

There are a bajillion apps out there promising to deliver everything you need and, to be honest, I had no idea where to start when I first started looking into them. To be frank, it’s daunting.

So I asked my assistant to do a deep dive into what’s out there and here’s five apps that they came up with.

5 Meditation Apps to Try this Summer

1. Headspace

• Pros: User-friendly interface, extensive library of guided meditations, animations explaining meditation concepts, courses for beginners, sleep aids, and mindfulness exercises.
• Cons: Subscription cost might be high for some users.
• Best For: Beginners and those looking for a comprehensive introduction to meditation.

2. Calm

• Pros Wide variety of content including guided meditations, sleep stories, music tracks, and masterclasses from experts. Beautiful visuals and soundscapes.
• Cons: Subscription cost, some users may find the interface less intuitive.
• Best For: Users seeking relaxation and sleep support alongside meditation.

3. 10% Happier

• Pros: Focus on mindfulness and meditation for skeptics, practical advice from experts, engaging podcasts and courses.
• Cons: Fewer guided meditations compared to other apps, subscription required for full access.
• Best For: Those skeptical about meditation and looking for practical mindfulness tips.

4. Insight Timer

• Pros: Large library of free meditations, customisable meditation timer, community features, live events, and courses.
• Cons: The vast amount of content can be overwhelming, some premium features.
• Best For: Users looking for a diverse selection of free meditations and a community aspect.

5. Buddhify

• Pros: One-time purchase fee instead of a subscription, meditations categorised by activity and mood, offline access.
• Cons: Smaller library compared to subscription-based apps.
• Best For: Users who prefer a one-time purchase and tailored meditation sessions.

What do you think?

If you try any of these, please let me know how you get on.