We are half-way through our second year of dealing with COVID-19. The pandemic has had devastating effects on both the economy and the environment but most importantly, members of our society. A vast majority of people’s mental health has deteriorated due to fear and isolation brought on by the pandemic.
People’s restricted social connections, conflicts among families in lockdown, and fear of illness are likely to be contributing factors to this. However, these forms of anxiety could potentially be eradicated or alleviated through the use of meditation and mindfulness practices. We can define meditation in numerous ways, but ultimately it is about taking charge of our minds.
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not become overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Handling your stress can lead you to becoming considerably more engaged in everyday tasks and activities. Additionally, this degree of awareness not only enriches your mind and body, but it also proves to be quite beneficial over the course of a pandemic. Listed below are a few of the best apps that we recommend which aim to help with combatting anxiety by guiding meditation and mindfulness:
Calm
Calm offers a variety of guided meditation sessions ranging in length from 3 to 25 minutes. It is accompanied by relaxing music that is designed to establish an ambience for going to sleep, as well as the tools users’ need to get started on their mindfulness quest. The app has a daily mood check-in function that allows users to reflect on their emotions so that they can focus on the day ahead. Calm is also an excellent way for individuals to enhance their sleep.
It offers a function called ‘Sleep Stories’ that features narrators like Leona Lewis and Matthew McConaughey to help users fall asleep and wake up feeling refreshed. Calm also has a 10-minute program that users may utilize to ease into the day or unwind before bed, guaranteeing a stress-free start to the day followed by a peaceful slumber.
Cost: 7-day free trial, then £28.99/year
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Headspace
The Headspace app is one of the most accessible and easy-to-follow meditation toolkits available, thanks to its simple interface and straightforward descriptions. Andy Puddicombe, a Buddhist monk whose meditation training led him all around the world, founded it. Its attractive graphics and adjustable meditation programs provide users with everything they need to be mindful. With reference to COVID-19, the app contains an exclusive selection of material under the category ‘Weathering the Storm’.
It offers a variety of experiences and activities that are meant to help users better navigate the uncertainty that we’re all facing right now. In addition, Headspace has developed a new function that allows users to connect with one another around the world in order to strengthen their sense of community during difficult times. There are also a number of thematic workshops on topics ranging from stress and sleep to concentration and anxiety. In the event of an emotional crisis, there are also SOS exercises users may undertake.
Cost: free to download, voluntary subscription at £9.99/month or £44.99/year
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Buddhify
Buddhify’s vibrant design provides simple meditations that can be incorporated into your everyday routine, whether you’re waking up in the morning or taking a break from work. The program includes a one-time charge option rather than an ongoing subscription, and it offers meditation choices that are suited for people of different skill levels. Having an app that provides meditation on the go is useful when you cannot find the time for formal sessions every day. The app’s main aim is to help users reduce their stress and anxiety levels, get a better night’s sleep and generally live a happier and healthier life.
Cost: one-off cost of £4.99 to download on iOS and £2.99 on Android
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Ten Percent Happier
Dan Harris, the founder of Ten Percent Happier, discovered serenity in meditation after having a panic episode on live television and, in turn, built an app to help users overcome similar difficulties. Over 500 guided meditations are available on the app, with topics ranging from parenting to overcoming anxiety. Users can find inspiration and structured exercises to help them improve their overall happiness on a frequent basis.
In addition, Ten Percent Happier has established a COVID-19 portal with practical and concrete tools to help people find some calm in the midst of turmoil. The app’s archive of meditation videos and insightful lectures are designed to help users better their relationships and gain control over their emotions and thoughts.
Cost: 7-day free trial, then £12.99/month or £87.99/year
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Moodfit
Moodfit is a free mental health software that seeks to deliver users tools and guidance to help them improve their mental health. The app includes a questionnaire to help users evaluate the intensity of their symptoms (such as anxiety, sadness, or stress), as well as a series of articles and audio files to help users better understand their symptoms. Users will acquire a better understanding of what is impacting their emotions over time by tracking moods, which Moodfit will subsequently give solutions for.
The app includes a cognitive behavioural therapy section that teaches users how to confront excessively negative thoughts. Moreover, the application features a thought journal that includes techniques for changing irrational thoughts so that users may learn to avoid and tackle them. Users can also acquire new life skills like gratitude and mindfulness in only a few minutes each day by better comprehending their medications and therapy methods.
Cost: free to download, optional premium subscriptions
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Sanvello
In light of the current COVID-19 outbreak, Sanvello have made the app entirely free allowing users to access anything self-care related. Sanvello’s latest release includes a particular focus on how to stay socially connected while we all face social distancing. When you download Sanvello, you will be prompted to track your mood on a daily basis.
The app asks you straightforward questions to help you classify your feelings and identify mood patterns. One of the purposes of the program is to assist users in gaining confidence and dealing with difficulties, such as public speaking and test-taking. Sanvello’s tools were found to reduce symptoms in a randomized study of 500 adults with mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Even when participants stopped using the app, the benefits continued. Alongside its progress assessments, Sanvello allows users to anonymously connect with others and access a licensed therapist for further support.
Cost: free with no in-app purchases or fees
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