Here’s the truth: I’m a self-confessed self-improvement junkie. Any activity, book, exercise, TED Talk, or, in this case, app, that promises to make me a more peaceful, present and integrated person, I am 100% on board.
This means that once I heard all the benefits of meditating, I had to try it. Like anyone else who’s attempted meditation, I initially struggled with sitting still, being quiet and simply focusing on my breath rather than the billiont-y things on my to-do list. But like anything else, with practice, it gets easier. That’s why they call it a meditation practice. Daily meditation has increased my ability to focus and manage stress levels, improved my overall mood, and, girl: I am sleeping GOOD at night. Needless to say, I’ve found that it’s very worth whatever discomfort I experienced at the start.
So, you want to meditate, but you don’t know where to begin? Being that it’s 2019 and technology is pervasive AF, of course there’s an app for that. In fact, there are thousands of apps for that. While I haven’t used them all (that would likely take a lifetime!), I’ve tried and tested dozens of them so you don’t have to. Here are my top 3 meditation apps!
1. When you’re crunched for time: Simple Habit
Simple Habit is touted as the best meditation app for busy people. Many of the meditations offered are around just 5 minutes long, which makes this app a great alternative for those who say they just don’t have the time to meditate. I mean, who doesn’t have 5 minutes? Simple Habit proves a little goes a long way, even when it comes to meditation.
Try Simple Habit for 1 week free. Subscribe for either $3.99/week, $11.99/month or $99.99/year.
2. When FREE is the right price: Insight Timer
Not everyone has the dough or the interest to pay for meditation apps. Totally understandable and don’t worry, we have something for you too. Keep in mind, many meditation apps claim to be free, but are truly freemium — you have got to pay up to get the good stuff. This is not the case with Insight Timer! At the time of publishing, this app boasts 14,919 free meditations from 3,097 of the world’s best meditation teachers. And it’s actually free. Like, for real.
Insight Timer is free in every sense of the word.
3. When you want to go deeper: Evenflow
Evenflow should be in a category on all its own. If you’ve got some stuff to work out (and who doesn’t?) and are looking to make some progress, this is the app for you. The company is comprised of a team of psychotherapists, psychologists, educators, and meditation teachers. It has specific meditations that address every life situation, including stress, relationship and career issues, and sleep. Need extra help? Evenflow offers one on one mentoring with a real-life meditation expert.
Evenflow offers a one-week trial. Then, you have the option of purchasing for $60/year.
Brittany is a social media content creator. Find her on Instagram @hibrittanyhigh.
