Meditation is an age-old practice that provides a means of escape from the busy modern world. It is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress and develop a calmer mindset to help you cope with life.
Many people dismiss meditation as too time-consuming when life is so busy. However, this does not need to be the case. In fact, it’s when you’re at your most frazzled that you can most benefit from its calming effects. Here are some of the best apps to give you quick access to meditations to help with those SOS moments.
1. Simple Habit
Simple Habit is a 5-minute meditation app that aims to help you stress less and achieve more. This app offers hundreds of guided mindfulness and meditation sessions, many of which are short enough to fit into spare moments in your busy day.
Choose from categories including Anxiety, Sleep, Relaxation, and Happiness. Alternatively, select topics to help your particular situation, such as Career, Parenting, Health, and Travel.
If you’re pressed for time, just tap the On-The-Go feature and tell the app how long you have and what you’re up to, and it’ll choose the best program for you. More than 5 million users have benefited from this app. It’s a great tool to calm your mind quickly.
Download: Simple Habit for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
2. Unplug
Unplug is another hugely popular meditation app with over 1 million users. It aims to be a meditation app for people who think they can’t meditate, so if this world is unfamiliar to you, it’s a great place to start.
Unplug claims to have the world’s largest collection of practical meditations. There’s one to suit just about every situation in which you might find yourself. If you’re angry, regretful, or on the verge of a panic attack, just browse the categories or enter a keyword for instant help.
With over a hundred expert teachers, from stress managers to aromatherapy experts, every approach to meditation is on offer. Longer courses and workshops are also available to help you master the skill.
Download: Unplug for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
3. Ten Percent
Ten Percent is the multimedia phenomenon started by journalist Dan Harris, who used meditation to help him to calm his thoughts after suffering a panic attack on live TV. This constantly updated app contains more than 500 mindful meditations.
Because the people behind Ten Percent are so aware of how meditation can help in stressful moments, there’s lots of help at hand when you fire up this sleek app. Head straight to the Singles tab to access the Work Stress SOS and Mental Mischief categories. And the fantastic One-Minute Stressbusters category is one of the best aids to be found in any of the apps listed on this page.
Download: Ten Percent Happier for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
4. Insight Timer
Insight Timer is one of the most popular free meditation apps, with over 21 million community members worldwide. Although paid subscriptions are available, make sure you benefit from the large selection of free material before you opt for an upgrade.
Like the other apps here, you can choose from a diverse topic list of more than 200 options. Make sure you bookmark any meditations that appeal to you as you browse the vast catalog. Just look for the 5-minute options within the app for a quick fix.
Find out more about how to improve your well-being with Insight Timer.
Download: Insight Timer for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
5. Headspace
The famous Headspace app, co-founded by a former Buddhist monk, is another great source of diverse meditation content. Although Headspace requires a subscription, you’ll have no problem finding appropriate help within its huge catalog. It’s based on mindful meditations, but you’ll also find sections to help with sleeping, waking up, and working out. Meanwhile, your kids can benefit from guided sessions such as Kindness and Calm.
The SOS section of Headspace is where you’ll find quick help when time is tight. You’ll see options such as Burned Out, Panicking, Losing Your Temper, and In Pain. These sessions are only 3 minutes long; hopefully, they will help ease your mind when you most need it.
Read about how to make the most of Headspace as you dive into its content.
Download: Headspace for iOS | Android (Subscription required, free trial available)
6. Balance
Balance is a comprehensive meditation resource with personalized help for whatever state of mind you check in with. Many people follow extended programs, and there’s a great section dedicated to helping you get better sleep.
It’s the Singles feature you can use in an emergency or when time is tight. Categories within this section of the app include Anxiety, Concentration, Breathing, Relaxation, and Motivation. Tap on the section you need, choose the duration and voice, and you’ll get instant help.
Find out more about how the Balance app can help you relieve stress.
Download: Balance for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
7. Calm
Like Balance, Calm is a well-loved meditation app. You can learn how to use Calm to improve your mindfulness here. If you’re short on time, check in with Calm and report your state of mind, then tap the Daily Practice session it recommends for you. Alternatively, look up the Quick and Easy section for easy access to a series of suggested meditations that may help.
It's effortless to look up programs by duration, so if all you have to spare is 3 or 5 minutes, you’ll still find it easy to get going quickly with a short meditation. And if you have children, you’ll find an excellent section on Calm to help soothe them with stories, lullabies, and meditations.
Download: Calm for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)
Get Instant Relief for Your Mind With Mindful Meditation
When you feel overwhelmed or burned out, that's when a few moments of meditation can help you reset, refocus, and re-energize. Whichever app you choose, you will be able to feel the benefits of slowing down and enjoying a short, mindful time-out. And because most of us are never without a smartphone or tablet, it’s great to have a source of help always at hand.