Skip to main content
Blog

4 apps for meditation and mindfulness.

4 apps for meditation and mindfulness.

Whether you’re stressed from work or just need to take a moment of calm, it can be hard to remember to fit it in when you have a busy schedule. There is even a day to help people do just that - National Relaxation Day, celebrated annually on August 15th. On that day, we’re encouraged to take a break from stress and anxiety and do something they truly find relaxing. Whether it’s going on spa break or just reading a book – it’s all about having time to chill in a way that works for you.

 

And if you’re looking for another kind of chill, be sure to check out our competition at the bottom of the page. We’re giving away a Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan. Not only is it super powerful, it’s whisper quiet too. So, it won’t interrupt your moment of peace.

 

One of the best ways you can reduce stress in your day is with a little meditation or mindfulness. And there’s no need to run off to a yoga retreat. There are loads of amazing apps that can help you get into the healthy habit of taking some quiet time. Here are 4 of our faves. Deep breath…

 

Apple Fitness+ and Apple Mindfulness

 

 

Apple Fitness+ has guided meditation sessions with experienced teachers – from 5 to 45 minutes per session. But it’s not all just sitting and breathing. Their Mindfulness Cooldown combines stretching with relaxation, and they have lots of yoga classes too. As for the meditation, it’s cut into different categories to help you with specific issues - whether it’s stress reduction, improved sleep or enhanced focus. Meanwhile, Apple Mindfulness is specifically for Apple Watch owners. On the small, square screen you can either follow a full meditation session or you can get a reminder to take a few rejuvenating breaths.

 

Fitness+ on iOS

Mindfulness on Apple Watch

 

Headspace

 

 

Headspace is one of the most well-known meditation apps, famous for its user-friendly interface and massive library of guided meditations. With its search function, you can find a meditation for almost any situation. Woke up in the night and can’t get back to sleep? There’s a meditation for that. And sleep stories too. Going on a walk and what to be more mindful? There’s a mindful activity you can listen to. They have podcasts, daily schedules that are easy to follow and courses galore. Headspace makes meditation accessible for beginners while also providing advanced content for aspiring yogis.

 

Available on iOS and Android

 

Calm

 

 

Calm is another highly popular app that focuses on meditation, relaxation and getting better sleep. Not only will you find traditional meditation practices, but there’s famous voices reading bedtime stories, soothing soundtracks and breathing exercises designed to help you unwind. The app's Daily Calm feature provides a new meditation each day, making sure you stick to mindfulness practice. And there are also long-term courses you can take tailored to what you want to get out of mindfulness. 

 

Available on iOS and Android

 

Balance

 

 

Balance was created to fit the needs of whoever’s using the app – so no two experiences are alike. Balance asks users a series of questions to understand their goals, then tailors meditation programs to fit. Whether your goal is to reduce anxiety, improve focus or get on in your career, Balance helps you build a mindfulness practice you can stick to - and that will evolve with your progress. You can always adjust the time of your meditation sessions. So, there’s always the chance to find a quick moment of calm, even if you’re rushing out the door!

Right now, Balance is doing a one-year free membership – so it might be worth a go.

Available on iOS and Android

 

So, why not whip out your phone, download a few of these apps and see which one works for you.

 

Win a Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan FA220UK!

 

 

Want to stay calm and cool? We’re giving away a Shark FlexBreeze Portable Fan FA220UK. It’s cool, super quiet and has 12 different modes – including outdoors, cordless and tabletop – so you can take it with you pretty much anywhere. It’s also water resistant, so is even pool splash and British summer weatherproof too! 

To enter, just share your best relaxation and mindfulness tips with the Community below.

Entries close at 23:59 on 19th August 2024. Winners are chosen at random, and we'll announce the lucky iD community member shortly after. Stay calm, you’ve still got time to win.

As a horse rider my one and only way that I relax is to tack up and go for a nice long walk with my best friend through the woods and across fields :) 

Regular tea breaks are essential to stay normalised while working from home, doing something outside that you really like and have a quick chat with someone that appreciates you. Simple yet effective.

Walking with my dog Charlie 

 

Listen to stevie wonder

For those of us who sit in front of computer screens for most of the working day, try to take a 10-15 minute break every hour, stand up and stretch those legs, whether thats to grab another cup of tea/coffee or taking some time to reflect & meditate. Moving away from the office desk helps decompress the spine, keeps the blood circulating and helps prevent eye strain after looking at screens for long periods. I know it’s sometimes hard to find the time, but taking small breaks at regular intervals can be fundamental to physical health & mental wellbeing.

Carve out some time every day to do something you love/enjoy.

I always make sure I have time to read a chapter or two of a book each day

I enjoy sitting near moving water. Listening to the calming sound. 

 

Nothing fancy. Just nature at its best.

Walking in the countryside, away from traffic, has always been my life saver. Whether it is raining or sunny a walk through the trees and fields will always make you feel better. No head phones are necessary as they detract from the beauty of your surroundings. It’s the little things in life that can bring you joy - a walk by the bubbling brook listening to the splashing of the water as it rolls over the stones, listening for the birds singing, or the wind blowing through the trees. Have you ever taken the time to really see how many shades of green there actually are in nature? Walking though an area when the bluebells are in flower has to be my real paradise. Walking is kind to your joints, great for your lungs, helps your circulation and calms your mind. What’s not to love about it! It’s also free to us all! Perfect!

Best relaxation & mindfulness is to have a afternoon nap & also to pray 5x a day to Allah. It bring peace & love to the mind, body & soul. 

spending time with horses works for me, grooming, riding or just watching

Cuddle a dog :) 
If I’m feeling stressed, anxious, worried, angry etc… there is nothing more soothing and comforting than having a cuddle with my dog <3

Going for a walk with the dogs, fresh air and the peaceful countryside work wonders.

Sit quietly for 10 minutes, deep breaths in through nose, out through mouth, close your eyes and think of your happy place. This can be anything that means something to you. Mine is a waterfall, feel the wind and spray on your face and hear the sounds it makes. I find this is good for relaxation and relieving stress.

To relax I put all my worries at the cross, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4.6-7

Avoiding the temptation to take on too many tasks or commitments in one go and expecting myself to juggle everything within a limited timeframe. It will just end badly!

Best way to relax is a good book and a nice cold drink in the sun or a nice hot chocolate under a blanket in the cold

I like to use my flexi time on an afternoon and slip off to the local cinema to catch whatever's playing. 

The other week they had the 1985 Back to the Future movie and this week they're showing the Tobey Maguire Spider-man movie.  

I usually go on a hump day (Wednesday) nice break mid week. 

I’m an ICU nurse and things can get very stressful and I often find it helpful to take a long slow walk at the beach or a walk in the wilderness in the rain. It’s the best feeling just forgetting about everything that goes on in every day life and just listening to nature <3

I love to sit under a tree, listening to the wind rustling the leaves as I lose myself in a great book.

I spend time in the garden to relax and recharge. Being outside around plants and hearing birdsong makes me feel grounded and happy.

It's important to spend time doing something you enjoy, whether that be a hobby or just relaxing with a book and a cup of tea. I find this helps me to relax 😌 

Escape to nature. Simple and available to everyone, wherever they are.

When I'm stressed out and want to relax, I make a coffee with my coffee machine, sit in the garden and relax with my dog 

A nice walk in nature followed by relaxing with your feet up on the couch with a good book.

When you’re feeling overwhelmed try to break things down to take the pressure off. One hour at a time, everything in stages. Break large tasks down by doing a section at a time rather than focusing on everything as a whole, just one thing at a time and you will be surprised by how much more you can achieve.

Terms & Conditions