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 time! 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. Time to break out the mindfulness apps…
Mindfulness apps for mums
#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 $5.66 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.
The Mindfulness App, free with in-app purchases
#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).
Headspace, free basic subscription and full subscription from $7.99 per month
#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.
Buddhify, free basic subscription, membership available as an annual subscription from USD$30 per year
#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.
Calm, free basic subscription, free trial for a full subscription and then from $9.99 per month
#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.
Smiling Mind, free for full subscription
Top image: Tim Goedhart via Unsplash
