Top 5 Meditation Apps

After long stressful days filled with schoolwork or overload tasks, rest day has come, then an idea popped up in your head, saying, “Hmm… I think I should start meditating to begin feeling peace!” But how will you start, though? The only general type of meditation that we know of is Yoga, but did you know there are different types of meditation? According to Healthline, there are nine types of meditation sectioned in genres: mindfulness meditation, spiritual meditation, focused meditation, movement meditation, mantra meditation, transcendental meditation, progressive meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and visualization meditation. Choosing a purpose for meditation can help you think of what form of meditation you should use. 

Meditation not only serves as a way to escape the stressful world you’re currently in, but it is a gentler way to exercise your whole body as well! Keep in mind that practicing meditation might feel weird the first few times. There might be some times that you feel sleepy, and you feel tingly, or you feel like someone will barge in while you’re doing a meditative pose. These are some of the typical but awkward phases you will go through while planning your meditation journey! For now, let’s look at the top five meditation apps that can help you for your next step when it comes to meditation:

1. Meditation Mindfulness: Lojong

Number one is a five-star app from the Google App Store and the Apple App Store. This Freemium app has a size of only twenty-nine megabytes, which is pretty helpful if you want to save some phone storage! On your first access to this app, you can choose any options to sign in, whether to sign in using your social media accounts or via Google or Gmail. When it comes to the actual interface of the application, you can see five options: Practices, Insight, Tools, Profile, and More. There are many things to choose from; the first three options range from videos, audio, and even quotes if you want to be inspired. The feature that amazed me is the ‘Gratitude Journal’ feature which helps you type down what you want to be thankful for.

2. Headspace: Meditation & Sleep

Headspace is a 4.7-star app available from the Google App Store and the Apple App Store. They also created a collaboration with Netflix three times, and if you have a Netflix account, you can see their Guide Collection here! You can also create an account with them using your e-mail or social media account when signing in. Headspace is a Freemium app with great visuals and color palettes to relax users. There are also options in the app: Today, Meditate, Sleep, Move, and Focus. The option that you might find helpful is the Today option which helps you navigate what you might need on a specific day, or you can just choose from the other four options stated. To experience it, you should at least pay the monthly or yearly subscription or just select the free trial option that allows you to cancel your subscription at any time. Overall it seems like a great app if you want to invest in it!

3. Calm: Sleep & Meditation

Calm is a 4.6-star application available for both Apple and Android users. Before signing in, they will collect some information about you with questions such as, ‘What brings you to Calm?’ which has seven options to choose from, is aimed to personalize the app for you and achieve your desired goals. They also ask for your opinion on content for Kids, which I think is a great option to help your little kids fall asleep--well, if you got one, of course! After that, just like the previous meditation apps mentioned, you can sign in using your desired e-mail or social media account. Calm is a Freemium app like Headspace where you can experience the Premium stuff by participating in a free trial. However, unlike the previous apps mentioned, Calm has only four options: Home, Discover, Profile, and Premium. You can explore the app using the explore option and experience it using the home option, which shows some featured stuff for you!

4. Hallow: Catholic Meditation

If you want to do spiritual meditation, then Hallow might be the one for you! Hallow is also available for both Android and Apple users and has a 4.8-star rating in the stores. When it comes to signing in, the only options you can use are: (1) to continue by Google, (2) to continue by your desired e-mail, and (3) to continue by using your Apple ID. After signing in, you are required to choose goals out of eight options before continuing to the main interface of the app--like any other meditation apps--to help them personalize your needs. You are also asked about your interests, which you would also find interesting! Hallow is a Freemium meditation app with five options on its tab, such as Home, Meditate, Sleep, Music, and Me (Your Profile). Like any other Freemium app, you are required to subscribe to its free trial before canceling or paying for the full version of the app itself.

5.Mindfulness.com Meditation App

Lastly is the Mindfulness Meditation App. This app has a 4.6-star review in both the Apple and Google play store, and you can start with the app either by logging in or just by pressing the ‘Get Started’ option. You will be asked what brings you to their app and if you had any meditation experience, and after that, you can sign in with your desired e-mail or sign in with your social media account. Mindfulness is a Freemium account with five options in their tab: Courses, Meditate, For You, Sleep, and Profile. You can also find guides, podcasts, and as well, audio. Overall, it seems like a decent application when it comes to meditation!

Key Takeaway:

Taking a rest is an essential part of our daily lives, especially when you feel drained after a long tiring day. To feel peace, we must also need to create peace for ourselves! We shouldn’t feel guilty for creating or doing things to make us feel peaceful, as this is the only time for ourselves.