Do Those Meditation Apps Really Work?
Habitual meditation is a lofty goal, but a difficult one to put into practice. It can be challenging to fit this eastern ritual into our harried western world. A popular solution has emerged recently in the form of meditation apps. Our cell phones seem to be the LAST place any of us would consider for finding peace and tranquility but, there may be a convenient solution right at your fingertips. Just download and achieve Nirvana, right? Well, not necessarily. App or not, like any habit, meditation takes commitment and dedication. I decided to try a few of these apps to see if I felt any more inspired to sit on a cushion and… OM. My goal was to find an app that was completely free, easy to use, and one that would inspire mindfulness.
And the winner is…
I found there are so many meditation apps available that even the thought of choosing one can be a source of additional stress. I ended up trying out four different apps to determine which one would meet my needs: “Calm,” “Ten Percent Happier,” “Headspace” and “Insight Timer.” All were equally effective but, in the end, “Insight Timer” was my preferred choice.
7 Reasons why I prefer “Insight Timer” to other Meditation Apps
- Insight Timer is not one of the most popular ones advertised online, but (full disclosure) I’ve been using it for a while and think it is amazing! It is well organized and easy to use.
- Claiming “The largest free library on earth,” they offer 65,000 free meditations with guidance by over 9000 teachers.
- They offer solutions in categories on everything from Sleep, Recovery, and Healing, to Stress and Anxiety, Performance, Health and Happiness, Relationships, Spiritual, and even have a category just for Parents.
- You choose the time you have to meditate – either a quick five-minute morning meditation or an in-depth hour-long spiritual journey.
- Many others claim to be “free” but in reality, offer a free trial (usually for a few days) then require a monthly/yearly subscription. I have been using Insight Timer’s free version for months and have never had the need to upgrade to the Premium version. There are literally thousands of meditations and you have the option to give a monetary donation (or not) to your favorite meditation guide.
- You can even select one of the beneficial music recordings that offer health benefits as well. The quality of the recordings is excellent and I keep finding new ways to get the benefits out of this app. It reminds me to focus and makes it easy to do so.
- Insight Timer does not just offer meditation. They provide optional sound healing, podcasts, training modules, affirmations, and more.
Mind WELL:
Meditation apps are a great tool to utilize anywhere in order to find some solace after hours of staring at a Zoom meeting screen or dealing with our demanding lives during this pandemic. Bottom line, whether you chose to use an app or not, try and find the best and most convenient method for you to take a moment and just breathe.
I’d love to hear about your experiences with this or any other meditation apps! Please share your favorite below.
(Please note: There was no sponsorship or payment for this article. I just really like the app! #notsponsored)
Cameo Drive 