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4 Free Meditation Apps to Help You Relax

girl meditating in white

Could your phone be the key to calm? Some people believe you need to get far away from the beeping and buzzing to reap the benefits of meditation, but with the help of free meditation apps, I think technology can be helpful in your quest for a little rest and relaxation.

Meditation apps make it possible to slow down and check in with yourself anytime, anywhere. They’re easy to use, even if you’re a beginner.

Here are four popular picks I’ve tried, that I think are worth trying.

Stop, Breathe & Think

If you’re new to meditation, this might be the app for you. Stop, Breath & Think teaches you about how stress impacts your body and mind, what mindfulness meditation is and how it can help you feel better. Once you’ve got the basics down, you can choose from 30 short meditations. Mark each one as you try it to track your progress and stay motivated.

Stop, Breathe & Think is available for iPhone® and Android® at stopbreathethink.com.

Aura

Aura’s offerings are short, sweet and geared toward your personal goals and needs. Each day, the app shares a brand new, three-minute meditation that’s selected using factors like your age, stress levels, optimism and mood. As an added bonus, Aura encourages gratitude by prompting you to write down something you’re thankful for.

Aura is available for iPhone® and Android® at aurahealth.io.

Insight Timer

If community is the key to keeping you motivated, I think this app might work well for you. Insight Timer shows you exactly how many fellow users are meditating at any given time. Joining in is easy, and you can choose from over 4,000 guided meditations, or set a timer and meditate to the sound of ambient noise.

Insight Timer is available for iPhone® and Android® at insighttimer.com.

Smiling Mind

In my opinion, this app isn’t just for adults. Smiling Mind offers psychologist-created, age-appropriate guided meditations for kids as young as seven. Try it for yourself, then share it with your family.

Smiling Mind is available for iPhone® and Android® at smilingmind.com.au.

Reaping the stress-relieving benefits of meditation can be as easy as grabbing your phone. Just remember, you may want to switch to silent mode (or “do not disturb”) before you attempt to zone out.

Reviews are not scientific and are the sole opinions of the reviewers, not an endorsement by BCBST of any specific app or device.

Marygrace Taylor

Marygrace Taylor is is an award-winning health, wellness, and nutrition writer whose work has appeared in Glamour, Redbook, Prevention, and Women’s Health. You can follow her on Twitter @mgtylr, or at marygracetaylor.com.

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