In the midst of a hectic life, practicing simple mindfulness meditation techniques teaches you to focus living in, and being aware of, the present moment, free from judgment and overthinking. It can help you stay calm; improve your concentration; lower your levels of stress, anxiety, worry and sadness; give you more energy and clarity; and help you feel more fully alive. This can help you become more productive and feel more in control of situations. Getting started with meditation can be challenging at first. For some people starting meditation, it can be helpful to listen to guided meditations. Here are some resources that can help.
There are many apps that include guided meditations and tools to help you track—and remember—your meditations. These include:
- 1000 Guided Meditations – There are many meditation apps available, but it can be a challenge to find one that provides you with everything that you’re looking for in meditation. This app has something for everyone. It’s available for free for both Android and iOS. Click here to access information about it.
- Aura – If you’re looking for help making meditation an everyday habit, you will be interested in the Aura app. The goal of this app is to meditate for at least 3 minutes each day and tie it with a daily habit so it sticks. It is available for free for a 7-day trial for both Android and iOS. Learn more about this app here.
- Calm – With the Calm app or website, you can quickly and easily take 2 minutes to regroup, de-stress, and start fresh. It is free to download for iOS and Android Learn more about this app here.
- Headspace – Are you interested in meditation, but overwhelmed by the thought of starting? If so, we found an app you may want to check out: Headspace! Headspace is a free app that aims to make “meditation simple.” It is available for both Android and iOS. Learn more about this app here.
- InsightTimer – This free app is available for both Android and iOS. It integrates meditation with a social media aspect, allowing you to not only track your progress and access a variety of guided meditations, but connect with friends and view the status of other meditators worldwide. Learn more about this app here.
- Mindshift – This app can help you learn to relax, stop anxious thoughts and develop strategies to help you overcome anxiety. It is available for both Android and iOS. It was developed to help teens with anxiety, but can also benefit adults. Learn more about this app here.
- Stop, Breathe & Think – This app was developed by the non-profit organization Tools for Peace, which strives to promote meditation as a tool for well-being and developing compassion. Stop, Breathe & Think is available for both iOS and Android. Learn more about this app here.
Additionally, you can find free guided meditations online. Here are some examples:
- UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center – Access guided meditations that focus on mindfulness here.
- UCSD Center for Mindfulness – Click here for guided meditations that focus on mindfulness specifically for stress reduction.
- Mayo Clinic Mindful Breathing Lab – This resource includes guided audio related to breathing, the body and several others.
For Health Advocate members
If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the wellness coaching component of our Wellness Program, contact Wellness Coach today for more great tips to help you improve your well-being.
