relaxing with tech

 

Relaxing with tech – apps to help keep you calm and centred


01 September 2020
 

Think about your day. Have you spent most of it rushing from one activity to the next? When you have had an opportunity to wind down, has your mind been preoccupied with today’s tasks or thoughts of what’s in store tomorrow?

We have so much on our to do list that we rarely allow ourselves time just to be, and enjoy what the moment has to offer. Finding time to switch off and relax is vital for both physical and mental health. Paying attention to the present moment helps to improve mental wellbeing, enabling you to appreciate the world around you and find more joy in life.

Where to start? There are many relaxation apps to help de-stress and clear your mind. We have highlighted three of the most popular below.

Headspace offers guided meditations, animations, articles and videos on a variety of topics from managing stress and anxiety to sleep, focus and mind-body health.

Catering for both beginners and more advanced users, Headspace makes maintaining mindfulness and focused meditation easier.  From ‘The Wake Up’ to start your day mindfully right through to assisting with better quality sleep, Headspace has lots to offer to help you relax.  There are even guided meditations and mindfulness exercises for children with sessions on Kindness, Calm, and Focus.       

We particularly like “Mindful Moments” to keep you present throughout the day.

App Store rating: 4.9 stars

Google Play rating: 3.5 stars

Price: €12.99 a month with a seven-day free trial

Calm is a great mindfulness app for beginners, but also includes hundreds of programs for intermediate and advanced users. Guided meditation sessions are available at varying lengths, so you can choose a session to fit your schedule.

Calm also offers adult bedtime stories to help you get a good night's sleep, and yes that is Matthew McConaughey reading your story.

We particularly like ‘Daily Calm’ a 10-minute program to help you start your day or unwind before bed.

App Store rating: 4.8 stars

Google Play rating: 4.4 stars

Price: $69.99 a month with a seven-day free trial

Although it offers a Member Plus service for which charges apply, Insight Timer provides its substantial library of 40,000 guided meditations and music tracks free of charge.

The app includes guided meditations, at beginner and expert level, and talks by meditation and mindfulness experts. There are also lots of ambient sounds to calm the mind, assist with sleep and foster relaxation.

We particularly liked the meditation timer, allowing you to customise the length of your session.

App Store rating: 4.9 stars

Google Play rating: 4.7 stars

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Relaxation and meditation apps are a great way to try and incorporate a moment of calm into even the most hectic of schedules. Give one a try, and reap the benefits of a more relaxed you.