Meditation apps: do they really work?
We’ve tried some of the most popular meditation apps and have tips for you!
There’s an app for everything these days, and there are hundreds out there dedicated to helping you reach a healthier and happier state of being. We’ve road-tested a few of the big names to see what’s really worth your time (and those inevitable in-app purchases).
CALM
The hugely successful Calm app is an evolution of Calm.com, a web app that displays different scenery and sounds to absorb while a chill-out timer ticks by.
The app takes that original idea, and injects it with verbal valium in the form of its free 7 Steps To Calm guide and other guided meditations you can absorb while flicking through some beautiful landscapes.
It’s a good introduction to the practice, but the majority of the classes available require an in-app purchase. Even its biggest selling point, The Daily Calm – a different meditation class each day – is subscription-based.
PRICE: £FREE (with in-app purchases) OVERALL RATING: 5/10 THE VERDICT: One for the pros, mainly. WEBSITE: www.calm.com
HEADSPACE
Headspace is a great introductory meditation app, with a really easy-to-use interface and 10 sessions available straight off the bat. After a brief body scan, the app’s co-founder Andy talks you through the steps with a soothing tone, without sounding patronising or quirky like some of the other app narrators do.
The simplicity of its design and streamlined options make this one great for people who aren’t sure whether they’re ready to commit to a full meditation course just yet.
Oh, it’s got the odd famous fan, too.
Do you guys know about @Get_Headspace ? Its an app that teaches you how to meditate. It’s kind of genius x
— Emma Watson (@EmWatson) July 3, 2013
PRICE: 10 free sessions (with in-app purchases) OVERALL RATING: 8/10 THE VERDICT: A reliable introduction for meditation newcomers. WEBSITE: www.headspace.com
1 GIANT MIND
Starting you off with a 12-step meditation course, the beauty of 1 Giant Mind is it’s all free. After the initial introduction, the 30-day challenge is unlocked, where creator Jonni Pollard intends to help people turn meditation into a daily habit, all without any extra purchases.
There’s a meditation timer, too, and access to a heap of videos that will answer any questions you might have.
Of course, it can’t be perfect, and it does seem to crash more often than the other apps here, especially when using the journal feature.
PRICE: £FREE OVERALL RATING: 8/10 THE VERDICT: A great, all-round not-for-profit meditation app. WEBSITE: www.1giantmind.org
PAUSE
Pause takes a novel approach to the ancient Tai Chi forms of meditation, by bringing focused attention to fingertips… literally.
Essentially, when you kick off a session, a blob appears on the screen and ever so slowly moves around, pulsates, changes colour and mutates.
You place your finger in the centre and follow said blob around the screen until the session’s over. It’s a fantastically easy way to focus your thoughts through an unconventional use of technology.
PRICE: £1.49 OVERALL RATING: 8/10 THE VERDICT: Perfect for a quick cleanse of the mind, no matter where you are. WEBSITE: http://www.pauseable.com
AND JUST TO SUMMARISE…
Of course, these are just our experiences of a handful of the apps out there. If you’re looking to supplement your floating schedule with a meditation app then try a few out for yourself, ask around for recommendations and find what’s right for you. And do let us know how you get on…
Happy meditating!
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