In the midst of a hectic life, practicing simple mindfulness meditation techniques teaches you to focus on living in, and being aware of, the present moment, free from judgment and overthinking. It can help you stay calm; improve your concentration; lower your levels of stress, anxiety, worry and sadness; give you more energy and clarity; and help you feel more fully alive. This can help you become more productive and feel more in control of situations.
Getting started with meditation can be challenging at first. For some people starting meditation, it can be helpful to listen to guided meditations. Here are some resources that can help.
There are many apps that include guided meditations and tools to help you track—and remember—your meditations. These include:
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Aura
If you’re looking for help making meditation an everyday habit, you may be interested in the Aura app. The goal of this app is to meditate for at least 3 minutes each day and tie it with a daily habit so it sticks. It is available for a free 7-day trial for both Android and iOS. Learn more about this app here.
- Calm
- Headspace
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InsightTimer
This free app is available for both Android and iOS. It integrates meditation with a social media aspect, allowing you to not only track your progress and access a variety of guided meditations, but connect with friends and view the status of other meditators worldwide. Learn more about this app here.
- Mindshift
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My Life – Stop, Breathe & Think
This app was developed by the non-profit organization Tools for Peace, which strives to promote meditation as a tool for well-being and developing compassion. Stop, Breathe & Think is available for both iOS and Android. Learn more about this app here.
Additionally, you can find free guided meditations online. Here are some examples:
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UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
Access guided meditations that focus on mindfulness here.
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UCSD Center for Mindfulness
Click here for guided meditations that focus on mindfulness specifically for stress reduction.
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Mayo Clinic Mindful Breathing Lab
This resource includes guided audio related to breathing, the body and several others.