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13 Meditation and Mindfulness Apps That Will Actually Relax Your Brain

Tools to fight Sunday Scaries, insomnia, and all the stress of the world.

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michela ravasio

I know a thing or two about worrying. To quote my mom, “You came out of the womb biting your nails.” Love you, mom! She's exaggerating...a little.

Just like the 40 million of Americans who suffer from anxiety, stress, and the daily struggles of being human, it can be tough, but mindfulness is a great resource. According to the American Psychological Association, the practice of mindfulness can reduce stress, improve focus, and increase cognitive flexibility. Meditation also boasts a number of benefits to the body from reducing stress, controlling anxiety, and promoting emotional health, according to Healthline.

Whether you want some relief from a certain someone's not, like, smart or stable tweets or your boss’s calendar invite for Friday at 5pm. Ahead, 13 meditation and mindfulness apps that will keep you feeling good and thinking positive in 2020.

Headspace

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Headspace is the OG of meditation and mindfulness apps. The program just takes 10 minutes a day to reset and relax your brain with the help of targeted exercises and a very, very relaxing voice. Headspace also counts celebrities Jessica Alba and Gwyneth Paltrow as fans.

FitMind

Working out your mind is just as important as working out your body. With a slogan, "CrossFit for the Mind," this brain flex is no joke. The program starts with a 30-day mental fitness challenge complete with charts and graphs so you can visualize your progress toward mindfulness. If you struggle sticking with mindfulness techniques or need structure and routine, this is the program for you.

Unplug

This app boasts over 700 mindfulness and meditation videos that range from quick 10-15 minutes fixes to full hour-long relaxation journeys. The product is super user-friendly, meaning you can sort through the collection of content by terms like length, needs (destress, sleep, relax, wake up), and teachers. Plus, it tracks your progress, so you know how far you've come on your meditating goals.

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Simple Habit

If you're struggling with total brain burnout, this is the app for you. Simple Habit has an extensive library of meditation and mindful exercises to choose from, but the standout playlist is the Burnout Series. The playlist includes targeted practices for staying calm with a busy schedule, relieving morning anxiety, and commuting to work.

10% Happier

Skeptical of meditation? Deep breaths not really your thing? 10% happy is the perfect meditation app for you. Created by best-selling author and Nightline anchor Dan Harris, the app features conversations with meditation experts and scientific explanations of the practice. Consider yourself convinced.

Breethe

Breethe is unique mindfulness app that provides a personal coach for your meditation journey. The meditations are on the longer side, anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, so you’ll need to invest a good amount of time in the practice. The app also boasts a number of practices for whatever you’re feeling ranging from “Dealing with Anxiety” to “My Boss is a Jerk!

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Stop, Breathe & Think

Even just repeating the title of this could provide some relief. Stop whatever you’re doing and check in with the app to see how you are feeling. Breathe with the mindful breathing practices that help to create clarity between your thoughts, emotions and reactions. Think through the apps practices with personalized meditations and activities that aim to help you find peace.

The Calm

For the person who wants peace, quiet, and a dash of organization. Calm boasts a gorgeous user experience and interface with soothing backgrounds, quotes and meditation practices. It also tracks your practice using an in-app calendar.

Aura

The AI-powered meditation is perfect for our daily busy lives. The program learns your habits through questionnaires and creates personalized meditation practices. The premium subscription provides 24/7 guidance for life, so you can de-stress at the optimal times for you.

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Smiling Mind

The Smiling Mind is a non-profit organization that aims to provide mindfulness and meditation practices to children and adults. The app provides free 10-minute practices that will do good for the world and your brain

Buddify

It began as a side hustle for founder Rohan Gunatillake but soon he mastered the mobile meditation for on-the-go relaxation and meditation. The app turns even the most crowded subway cart, office corner, or busy cafe into the most calming meditation studio.

Omvana

Omvana provides a number of recorded audio tracks that will help you with guided meditation, focus, relaxation, and sleep. You can choose from over hundreds of meditations, inspirational speeches, and bedtime stories to relax and soothe you.

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Spotify

Home of most of your favorite music artists, the popular streaming app also boasts an extensive library of meditation resources. Whether you’re looking for a sleep story or practical sitting meditation, there’s a playlist for that.

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