Mindfulness Apps: are they any good?

Mindfulness apps abound. As do Meditation apps. As well as any number of apps related to getting yourself out of sticky, stressed, yukky mental spaces. But how do you choose one? And are they as good as a class?
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Two two apps that I highly recommend are Insight Timer and The Tapping Solution. Both of these have free and supbscription versions. But in my opinion, the free versions are so well – featured that they are very adequate.

Insight Timer App is a library of recorded meditations. provided by teachers from around the world, including leaders in the field.
Great because:

• you can choose the topic (eg coping with anxiety, managing stress improving sleep etc)
• You can choose how long you want to meditate (anything from 5 minutes to 30+ minutes)
• You can bookmark your favourite meditations, and easily find them again
• It’s timer function is super easy if you want to meditate without a recording but don’t want to keep looking at the clock.

The Tapping Solution App offers 10-minute guided meditations combining mindful self-compassion and positivity with ‘tapping’ on easy- to- reach acupressure points. Tapping is well-researched and proven to lower Cortisol and help with difficulties including depression, stress, anxiety and physical pain.

Great because:

• It's emotional first aid in an app!
• Easy  5 minute tutorial for first timers
• You can choose your topic (eg anxiety, anger, sadness, instant boost of confidence)
• Effective and very easy to use

Finding an app that works for you is a great way to start or enhance your Mindfulness skills or have access to emotional first aid wherever you are.

You can use them on the bus or during kid’s sports or your lunchbreak. Some of them are invaluable resources.
 
What you can’t get out of an App is individualised input, personal support or the opportunity to get a sense of how normal your own experiences are. And that’s what classes are for.

So have fun exploring the Playstore