Embracing Mindfulness Through Technology
Is life becoming increasingly busy or is it that we are competing with more distractions for our time than ever before? No more so than with the impact that Information Technology has had on our already stressful and busy lives in the past decade. In this fast paced world that we are adapting to, it's never been more important to be mindful of what's going on inside and outside our bodies than ever before.
Stress is not a negative emotion when you are able to walk side by side with it and live as friend not foe. It actually allows for focus and motivation, stamina and strength to manage daily goals. Tuning into our body's thoughts and emotions and scanning our body’s responses, not only helps you become more aware of the signs of increasing, heightened stress; it gives you the opportunity to manage it.
Mindfulness is noticing your thoughts and being aware of how your body feels right now.
My TOP 8 Mindfulness Apps
Smiling Mind
A free, Australian designed app created for school aged children, teens and adults to help bring balance to your life. Just as we practice physical fitness this allows you to practice mind fitness through mindfulness meditation. A great feature is the before and after mood ratings and a collection of mindfulness audios. Different programs for different age groups have been specifically created.
Available for download on Android and iOS
ReachOut Breathe
This is an Australian designed app that helps reduce the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety by slowing down breathing and heart rate. Through using simple visuals and measuring your heart rate in real-time ReachOut Breathe slows down your heart rate and can increase feelings of calmness in your body. This means that you can actively address the onset of the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety such as shortness of breath, increased heart rate and tightening of the chest with the guidance of this app.
Available for download on iOS
ReachOut WorryTime
Everyone has worries pop into their head from time to time, but sometimes they just won’t go away and they may start to impact your everyday life. The ReachOut WorryTime app interrupts this ‘hooked’ cycle and the repetitive thinking by ‘setting aside’ your worries until later so that you don’t get caught up in them and you can get on with your day. This means that you can deal with worries once a day, rather than carrying them around with you 24/7.
Available for download on iOS
Stop, Breathe & Think
Award winning personalised meditation and mindfulness app that helps you find peace anywhere. According to Cosmopolitan, this app has 'stand out' customisation AI tools that deliver meditations based on your current emotions and feelings.
A recent study saw a 46% decrease in users feeling anxious and 78% increase in positive feelings. Winner of the 2017 Webby People’s Voice Award for Best Health App. Taking a few minutes each day to feel calm is as important as regular exercise and develops a simple, regular, healthy habit for our mind.
Available for download on Android and iOS
Stop, Breathe & Think Kids
Mindfulness app designed specially for kids aged 5-10. Kids can check into how they are feeling using fun emojis and try recommended mindful missions and meditations tuned to those emotions. Meditation and mindfulness made easy and fun for kids, to help them discover and develop their superpowers of sleep, being calm, learning to breathe or to resolve conflicts.
Available for download on iOS
Calm
Calm is a beautifully designed app. Described by a user as "a truly life-changing app.” Calm is the perfect meditation app for beginners with the seven-day beginner's programme to get you started, but also includes programmes for more advanced users.
The short guided meditation sessions cover the basics of mindfulness and there's also a library of soothing nature sounds and scenes to use at your leisure. One great feature if you're looking to improve your sleeping patterns is the 'Sleep Stories' - bedtime stories for adults 'guaranteed to lull you to sleep’.
Available for download on Android and iOS
Aura
Aura is the simplest solution to reducing stress and anxiety and increasing positivity. Described as a ‘new kind of mindfulness app', Aura learns about you by asking questions. You then receive your AI personalised, 3-minute mindfulness meditation based on your answers.
Compatible with the Apple Watch and loved by Apple (#1 New Apps We Love), TechCrunch, Product Hunt (#3 Health&Fitness), TeenVogue, Brit+Co, therapists, mindfulness teachers, and tens of thousands of people. Aura is designed to help you gain control of your stress and thoughts better, to reduce stress and increase positivity. A recent user review said: "It helps me take a step back from my busy schedule and to calm my nerves."
Available for download on Android and iOS
Headspace
Designed to help you train your mind and body for a healthier, happier life by getting more from your day through letting go of stress through teaching techniques that bring calm, wellness and balance to your life. Featuring short animations explaining what mindfulness is and how it works. The free version of the app includes meditation and exercises led by Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe teaching you how to meditate, breathe, and live mindfully.
Named an 'Independent Best Buy' and featured on The Ellen Show and The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon. A recent Headspace user review states: "After a few days with guided meditations I could really notice a difference in my way of handling stressful moments."
Available for download on Android and iOS
Let me know if these apps are helpful and which one is your favourite.
Yours in health and happiness,
xo Simone