We've had to take a bunch of deep breaths in and out recently, and we're sure we're not alone. The COVID-19 has taken a toll on everyone’s mental health in one way or another. Many found meditation to be a huge help in quarantine, and even when we get to go back outside, the ancient practice will remain as the best way to find some inner peace.
Keep calm and carry on with these apps that everyone out East is zen-ing out to.
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TM, short for Transcendental Meditation, helps channel inner peace through a unique meditation technique. The method is based on "transcending," which allows you to escape your level of awareness into deep bliss. Its results do not go unnoticed. Many have found the method to produce the highest level of tranquility and peace of mind. Studies have found that this meditation produced three-times the amount of self-actualization than leading competitors in the meditation world. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi crafted this platform for the greater good and to help others reach new heights in health and wellness.
See also: Melissa Wood-Tepperberg's Happy, Healthy Summer
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Workout guru, mother of two and hospitality icon Melissa Wood-Tepperberg really does it all. Wood knows life is filled with twists and turns, but meditation has been her leading light to get back on track. Her meditations have become one of the hottest on the market for its promotion of mindfulness and zen. Her guided meditation classes, availible on her app in the App Store, range in length to provide you the maximum output. Her focus on alignment, breath and peace makes for the ultimate meditation flow.
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Positivity has proven to be the best medicine for any cause. The Affirmation Pod bring the daily motivation you need to hear, free of charge. The voice behind the platform, Josie Ong, gives talks ranging from “What Do You Say When You Look in the Mirror?” to “Releasing Judgements on Yourself.” Whether you are brushing your teeth in the morning, on a walk or getting ready for dinner, these podcasts are the perfect dose of gratitude and inspiration. Gain some self-love because you deserve it! You are awesome!
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One of the most popular meditation apps around, Headspace is great whether you’re having trouble falling asleep or getting energized in the morning. The app also has a YouTube channel with free video content covering a wide range of purposes, voices and scripts to help you set exactly the right vibe. Narrators’ voices are tranquil and bring a sense of peace often missing in our busy days. The app also features specialized courses on “how to deal with loneliness,” “how to form a habit,” “how to stop worrying” and more.
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Calm was voted App of the Year by Apple in 2017. This app features lessons to get you started in meditation, release anxiety and ease depression. If you liked listening to bedtime stories as a kid, there are dozens of adult-friendly stories to choose from as well as music, if that's your cup of tea. Calm offers masterclasses, so you can learn to keep focused, get better sleep or work on a little self-improvement. It even comes with a “for business” model, so you can extend a little Calm to your employees.
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Aura has been recognized by Forbes, TIME, NBC and so many other publications for its wide range of amenities, offering members life coaching, stories, sounds, music and more. The expert coaching is a big draw, as Aura’s certified therapists and coaches guide you through your meditative journey, tackling everything from spirituality to cognitive behavioral therapy, all in service of helping you “become your most resilient self.” The Aura community consists of more than 5 million members, and there’s a program for kids, too.
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Insight timer offers an extensive program available for free, as well as a paid membership with extra bonuses. Members can take advantage of yoga classes as well as meditation practices. With 400 courses to explore, Insight users can try guided meditations or timers for self-meditation. The app also includes music, live events, programs for sleep and so much more. Insight timer also offers a workspace option called Circles for Teams.
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When journalist Dan Harris suffered a mental breakdown on the job, he turned to meditation as a last resort. He started out a skeptic and ended up writing a book, then he launched this app to help everyday people pick up the ancient practice. Ten Percent Happier offers a beefy amount of free meditations and courses led by experts from around the world. Harris and his friends guide you along the way, adding fun little intro conversations to each meditation. Once you’ve gotten through the basics, you’ll be tempted to subscribe and get the full package, but there are still plenty of options if you’re not ready to make it official.
Photography by: Karolina Grabowska/PEXELS
