This week is a guest post from Julie. She shares about her tips on how to start meditating and her favorite guided meditation apps!
Top 3 Guided Meditation Apps to Get Started
In everyday life, things can get hectic pretty quickly.
Whether it is because of a never-ending to do list or the constant bombardment of social media comparisons or naturally nerve wracking social situations, we all experience times where we feel out of control.
Meditation is a method of grounding. It gives you a clear moment to take control again and gives you the the clarity you need to march on to sometimes difficult situations. It provides a safe haven for your mind to just be for a moment.
With so many different resources on the topic, it can be just as overwhelming to get started.
If you are looking to get started right away, here are my top 3 guided meditation apps that you can instantly download to discover the subtle but impactful effects of meditation.
1. Stop, Breathe & Think
Stop, Breathe & Think has a unique approach that allows you to check in with your emotions, and then recommends short, guided meditations as solutions.
Think of this app as a virtual journal of your emotional and mental well-being with a record of your meditation and mindfulness practices. I found this app extremely approachable for novice meditators.
2. Simple Habit
Simple Habit is marketed as “the best meditation app for busy people”. With a large selection of tracks catered to reducing stress, improving focus and sleep, relaxation, and more, you only need to take 5 minutes out of your day to practice.
What is great about this app is that the sessions are categorized by issues and scenarios. For example, you can find meditations for when you are showering, when you’re waking up in the morning, or when you are looking for motivation.
3. Waking Up: Guided Meditation
For beginners and experienced meditators alike, Waking Up is for anyone who understands that meditation should transform one’s view of the world.
Created by Sam Harris, the author of New York Times best seller, Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion. This app takes a course approach with a 50-day introductory course. Upon completion of the course, you are able to gain access to an ongoing series of daily meditations, similar to the ones mentioned above.
If you are someone who enjoys structured learning, this is the app for you. Just a note that this app does require a paid subscription.
Meditation is one of those things that you truly have experience for yourself to understand its positive effects. With that said, meditation and mindfulness also requires practice. The more you do it, the better you will get at it.
More Meditation Resources for Beginners:
If you are trying to get started in mindfulness meditation, here are some resources that I have found really helpful:
Headspace is another popular meditation app, but personally, I did not find it appealing. It may take you a couple tries to find an meditation app that is suited to your needs, taste and lifestyle.
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds is a customizable rain/water sound app. This is not a meditation app, but it is definitely where I find my moment of serenity on chaotic days.
Podcasts about to Mindfulness and Meditation:
About Guest Author:
A believer for conscious and sustainable consumerism, Julie is trying her best to live more mindfully and purposefully. In her free time, she enjoys trying new recipes and spending time with her black goldendoodle, Farley.
Julie is also the owner and principal of Tiny Planet Digital, a digital marketing company focused on sustainable growth for small businesses. If you are interested in learning more, you can follow Tiny Planet Digital on LinkedIn or visit tinyplanet.digital.
More Related Posts Here:
> 4 Ways to Be More Mindful
> Simple Ways to Improve Your Self Awareness
What other meditation apps have you tried? Do you have any other tips for mediation & mindfulness?
Shirley Huang is a Certified Life Coach, Podcast Host, and online educator. She provides weekly resources to help people become leaders in their life, while loving themselves and having fun a long the way. Check out her Life Coaching Programs here.