Need a break from your busy college schedule? Try your hand at meditation, created to clear your mind and hone your concentration. Meditation carves out moments of peace within a hectic schedule, and it doesn't require any special effort or expertise to do.
However, if you've never had experience with meditating before, you may wonder how and where to start.
What's often the best solution for questions that need quick answers? That's right — do a web search. Next to the internet, apps are some of the most convenient tools for problem-solving or carrying out daily tasks. Take a deep breath and dive into this list of eight popular meditation apps perfect for stressed college students.
1. 10% Happier
Work your way through over 500 guided meditations on topics ranging from anxiety relief to improved focus. This app offers quick reflections you can do during breaks between classes or while taking public transportation.
Use it to hear short stories or soundbites of wisdom whenever you need an immediate motivator. In addition to these short clips, the app lets you build brief timeblocks into your routine for practicing self-care techniques.
ABC news anchor Dan Harris created 10% Happier with the intention of imparting effective relaxation methods to others after experiencing a panic attack in 2004. Who would know better about the need for meditation other than someone who's experienced intense stress firsthand? The app is free and costs $14.99 per month for a monthly subscription.
2. Aura
Aura provides valuable lessons from experienced life coaches, as well as mindful meditations. With this app, you can access personalized, three-minute meditations — choose an exercise to fit your daily mood. Aura tracks your stress levels to give you better, more intimate practices based on your emotional needs. This function works well with its mood trackers, which enable you to keep a record of your emotions on a daily basis.
Interact with the community of Aura members and teachers to receive additional tips and socially connect with like-minded peers. The premium version lets you save unlimited meditations and engage in 10-minute sessions. This app costs $11.99 for the monthly subscription or $4.99 per month for the yearly subscription.
3. Let's Meditate
Explore a variety of meditational programs depending on your daily needs. This app offers techniques for better sleep and anxiety relief, as well as body scan exercises for help with tension. If you need certain meditations throughout the day, you can download them and use them offline at your leisure. Let's Meditate offers a beginner's guide for those completely new to meditation, and you'll receive reminders twice a day to start your sessions.
If you dislike creating a new account for every app you use, good news — you don't need one to enjoy the benefits of Let's Meditate. The app is free, although you have the option of submitting donations to keep it up and running.
4. Breethe
Drift into a full night of sleep with calming music playlists and nature sounds. Try a session of guided meditation, or experiment with one of the app's hypnotherapy sessions to completely relax your mind. Breethe encourages clarity of thought and helps you release pent-up stress. It also offers a program for learning meditation if you're brand-new to it. Save your favorite meditations and set up daily reminders for them to avoid getting off track.
You can access this app from anywhere, including your computer or tablet. Go for the free version or pay $12.99 per month to get a subscription with premium benefits.
5. Simple Habit
Simple Habit is the ideal college meditation app for students preoccupied with school. It offers five-minute sessions and has an On-the-Go feature for situational mediations, such as commuting or waking up for class. Track your daily progress with the Mindful Minutes feature and integrate your meditations into Apple Health.
Download it for free or treat yourself to the premium version for $11.99 per month. With this account, you can access meditations offline whenever your Wi-Fi is unavailable.
6. Calm
This popular meditation app allows you to create an account and personalize your experience. Whether you want to learn gratitude, reduce stress or break a habit, you have overflowing options.
Calm provides exercises for specific demographics, including college students. It offers a free seven-day trial that gives you features like bedtime stories and Calm masterclasses. In addition to the soothing meditations, the app background depicts serene nature environments. Link this app with Google Fit to track your progress and improve your stats.
After the free trial ends, you can pay $14.99 per month for full access.
7. Headspace
Create restful days with Headspace, an excellent meditation app for improving sleep and reducing anxiety. Headspace offers exercises for a wide audience — from young children to major corporations. You receive 10 free sessions to start, and from there, the app costs $12.99 a month.
Each session lasts 10 minutes, and you access them one day at a time. If you're really crunching your time, opt for a mini session lasting two or three minutes.
If you ever experience a moment of dire stress or panic, use one of the SOS mediations to guide yourself through it.
8. Meditopia
This app offers over 1,000 meditations, with 250 of them available in both Spanish and English. Pick from specialized programs such as the foundational beginner's level or the self-confidence program. Utilize the app's quick meditations for moments between classes when you need a breather.
Meditopia also offers comforting exercises for tension relief and pain. Download your favorite meditations and listen to them offline whenever you need a pick-me-up. Once you download the app, you'll receive the seven-day free trial — after that, it's $9.99 a month.
Choose your favorite meditation app from these eight — or try multiple — and begin your path to mindful relaxation. Thanks to the innovations of technology, you can bring your sense of peace with you wherever you go.
