Are you trying to put the ‘me’ in meditation but don’t know where to start? There’s a free mediation app for that!
There are plenty of ways to help relieve stress: get a better night’s sleep or improve your outlook on life. Interestingly, one of the best methods to help achieve this is through meditation. If you’ve never attempted the practice before, it can be difficult to know where to start.
Fortunately, there are a number of apps out there that are waiting to be your companion on your mindfulness journey. Whether you’re a beginner or a habitual meditator, looking for a dose of mindfulness or something to help with sleep or anxiety, we’re kickstarting your journey with a curated list of the best free meditation apps of 2023!
Image via Apple App Store.
Aura: Meditation and Sleep
If you feel as though there isn’t enough time in the day to incorporate mindfulness into your routine, then Aura might be the meditation app for you. The short, three-minute guided meditations are generated based on how you’re feeling to put you in the right headspace. You can even choose from a range of music and nature sounds for a self-guided meditation if you want to try it on your own. With the ability to track your mood and reflect on your progress while connecting to a wider communit, you can also interact and share your experiences. With Aura, you can see how this short period of mindfulness every day is affecting your mood, your stress levels and your overall wellbeing.
Image via Apple App Store.
Calm
Famed for being one of the best meditation apps on the market, Calm is perfect for those looking to use meditation to improve their quality of sleep and relaxation through mindfulness. Not only does it feature multiple guided meditation programs with a range of time lengths to suit your schedule, Calm also has a tailored library of sleep stories, soundscapes and music to help you drift off at night. Be lulled to sleep by Stephen Fry leading you through a lavender field in Provence or by listening to the hushed tones of Bob Ross and his paintbrush. Meditation and mindfulness go hand-in-hand when it comes to bringing more relaxation to your nightly routine, and Calm is a great companion to help you along the way.
Image via Apple App Store.
Ensō | Meditation Timer & Bell
For the more experienced meditators out there, Ensō is a simple, sleek and easy way to keep track of your meditation sessions. Rather than guided sessions, this app times your own self-guided mindfulness sessions with interval bells and chimes to help you focus and not lose track of time. You can even measure how you’re improving with Ensō’s progress report function that allows you to track your sessions. With distraction-free mode, you can be sure that no text message or notification will interrupt you so you can get the most out of your meditation experience. One of the best advanced meditation apps!
Image via Apple App Store.
Headspace: Mindful Meditation
Another great app to help bring a little mindfulness into your day is Headspace. This free mediation app offers plenty of guided meditations to choose from with subjects like focus, exercise, productivity and stress. They also have short SOS meditations you can access on the go to help pull you back to a focused headspace in moments of increased anxiety or panic. Start your day right with The Wake Up sessions, follow Move Mode while getting your cardio in, and pick a Sleepcast or Soundscape to help you unwind before bed. Whatever your routine, you’ll be able to bring some peace and mindfulness to any time of your day with Headspace.
Image via Apple App Store.
Insight Timer – Meditate & Sleep
Running out of new meditations to follow or sick of the same old soundscapes? You won’t have this problem with Insight Timer as it has over 40,000 meditation and music tracks to choose from. With over 80 new tracks being uploaded to the app every day, you are sure to find something that suits your mood, style and meditation method. The in-app timer function is easy to use with soothing polyphonic bell tones to mark intervals during your session. There are also a multitude of community groups you can connect with via Insight Timer as well as statistics and milestones to track your progress.
Image via Apple App Store.
Sattva Meditations & Mantras
Meditation is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years and Sattva has endeavoured to bring that authenticity to a modern setting in the form of a simple, easy to use app. Sattva’s guided meditation, sounds and music are delivered by Sanskrit scholars so you will be able to explore meditation from its roots. The in-depth tracking functionality allows you to record your heart rate, mood, length and location of session. To keep you motivated, you can also set yourself challenges and unlock trophies along your journey. With curated playlists and collections, you’ll never be confused about what you should meditate to. Our pick of the top apps for meditation and mindfulness!
Image via Apple App Store.
Simple Habit Sleep, Meditation
If you’re looking for a way to make mindfulness a daily habit, then Simple Habit is the app for you. Simple Habit allows you to set reminders for yourself so you never miss a session. And, with a focus on short, five-minute meditations, you’ll be able to fit in a session when you wake up, before you go to sleep or even when you have a break at work. Listen to life coaching talks from world-renowned experts and get the most out of your meditation. Whether you’re aiming to fall asleep quicker and deeper, relieve anxiety and stress, or increase your self-awareness, Simple Habit has the tools to be able to live a happier and healthier life.
Image via Apple App Store.
Smiling Mind: Meditation App
Not ready to dive into the world of traditional meditation just yet? Smiling Mind is an Australian designed mindfulness app developed by psychologists and educators to help you bring some balance and calm into your busy life. With curated programs for all ages and enviornments including kids, teenagers, adults, families, classrooms and work settings, Smiling Mind has something for everyone. They even have a selection of Indigenous language options as well. You can set reminders, track your progress and mood to see how you are improving over time. One of the best meditation mindfulness apps for beginners, Smiling Mind will help you find some inner peace and a new outlook on life.
Image via Apple App Store.
Ten Percent Happier Meditation
Based on the bestselling 2014 book of the same name, this meditation app is specifically geared towards those who are a bit skeptical of the practice, just as its founder Dan Harris used to be. This mediation app gives you a simple rundown on the basics with a library of over 500 guided meditation videos tailored to different topics such as anxiety, focus and stress. There is also a section dedicated to sleep which provides the tools to have a more relaxed and restful night’s slumber. One of the best meditation apps for sleep, here you’ll be guided by leading experts in the field with tips, words of wisdom and stories.
Wanting a better sleep? Read through our Health Tips of 8 Weird Things To Do That Make You Sleep Better. Or, zen out and unwind at Australia’s 5 Best Wellness Retreats.
