Parents, you need to take time for a deep breath and a daily moment of inner peace. Here are the mindfulness apps that are helping us bring calm to our lives right now...
Parenthood: it’s a wild ride at times! Add in a pandemic and it’s easy to see why mindfulness is important for parents. Yep, we’re often definitely in need of taking a deep breath, a mum-time moment and possibly a large glass of wine. Parents, time to break out the mindfulness apps…
The best mindfulness apps for parents
1. The Mindfulness App
With guided and timed silent sessions ranging from three to 30 minutes, this is a mindfulness app that takes mum timeouts seriously. It’s THE perfect tool for busy parents looking to improve mental health and overall wellbeing, and we love the reminders and statistics to keep us focused on making time for ourselves every day. Premium options start at $6.99 per month, with a one-month free trial to get you started. Meditations and challenges will be based on your areas of focus and levels of experience, and are designed to keep you motivated. Now, breathe.
Price: Free to download, plus in-app purchases.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
2. Headspace: Guided Meditation
If you don’t have the first clue about meditation beyond a brief notion of sitting and humming, then Headspace is exactly what you need for getting started on a new, peaceful, mindful you. This mindfulness app is just what you need to provide you with hundreds of themed sessions on everything from stress to sleep and bite-sized meditations for busy people (i.e. us parents). Plus, it even has SOS exercises in times of sudden meltdowns (ours and the kids).
Price: Initial free trial, subscriptions available at USD$12.99 monthly or USD$69.99 annually.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
3. Buddhify
Husband and wife team, Rohan and Lucy, created Buddhify for people with busy schedules who need a spot of modern meditation in their lives. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress and anxiety or get a better night’s sleep, Buddhify has easy-to-follow guided meditations to help you live a happier and healthier life. With over 200 meditations to choose from and geared for complete beginners through to enlightened gurus, there’s something for everyone in this fab app that even has content for the kids.
Price: Free basic subscription, membership available as an annual subscription from USD$30.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
4. Calm
There is so much going on in the Calm app that it might take a few deep breaths to navigate your way around in the first place. Sign up for guided meditations that cover sleeping, anxiety, relationships, concentration, self-esteem, kindness and lots more. With free and premium options, you can take this nifty app as far and wide as your mind wants you to. Or at least as far as the kids will allow you time to yourself.
Price: Download the free version or unlock all for $65.98 annually.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
5. Smiling Mind
This app describes itself as a ‘mindfulness curriculum’, but don’t worry: there are no exams to take! Extra brownie points for this one having been created in a non-profit capacity. That means it’s free for everyone all the way from the basics to the top tier exercises! Download the benefits of mindfulness for you (and the kids) and start meditating your way to a more peaceful self. With over 2.4 million subscribers already, and over 40,000 educators using it in schools, that’s a whole lotta calm.
Price: Free.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
6. Insight Power
Dubbed “the happiest app in the world”, this free app offers more than 75,000 guided meditations led by top meditation and mindfulness experts. There’s a section dedicated to parenting and even one for the kiddos. The app also has thousands of music tracks from world-renowned artists, a customisable meditation timer, and stats to track your progress. Both beginners and expert practitioners will appreciate the easy-to-follow interface. The app won recognition from both TIME magazine and Women’s Health, so this is a must-have mindfulness app for parents.
Price: Free to download, plus in-app purchases.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
7. Expectful
If you’re a hopeful, soon-to-be, or new parent, Expectful is made for you. According to its website, mindfulness is good for those trying to conceive, helps parents foster a stronger connection with their child, and lead to a healthier pregnancy and postpartum period. Expectful offers hundreds of meditation sessions that will give you peace of mind. Indeed, this mindfulness app for parents should be your trusted companion as you go through your parenthood journey.
Price: One-week free trial followed by a monthly subscription at USD$9.99.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
8. Breethe
Want to practise meditation, but looking for something less serious? Breethe aims to be the best peace in your life, with a sense of humour! The app is organised to easily fit in your daily routine with helpful sections including Start Your Day, Take a Break, and Go to Sleep. It also features inspirational talks and masterclasses from the greatest personal growth teachers, so you’re sure to receive the best lessons directly. With over 10 million users, that speaks volume on how well-regarded this app is.
Price: Free to download, plus in-app purchases.
Available on the App Store & Google Play.
We hope these mindfulness apps for parents bring you all some much-deserved calm!
Top image: Fabian Moller via Unsplash
