5 apps to try meditation at home

The end of the year is getting closer and closer. It’s always a peculiar time of the year, during which we often stop and think about what happened during the year we are leaving behind. Our mind goes to the good and the bad moments of the year, and most of all, we get ready to write a list of resolutions for next year. In 2017, I would like to… Travel more, spend more time with my friends and learn something new. These are just examples, but I am pretty sure your lists will include similar ideas. If there is one thing I promised myself I would like to do next year, starting in January, that is take more time for myself, and make more time for self-care. We are often so focused on what we are doing that we often forget to give ourselves some breathing space, and we don’t realize that it doesn’t have to be the end of the year for us to stop for a second, and put everything that happens to us in the right perspective. A few minutes a day would already be enough. I thought that meditation could just be what I need to start in 2017, so maybe I could add that to my list of resolutions for next year. What do you think? To try to make it easy for us, we tested 5 apps to try meditation at home, to make the creation of this new good habit even more likely. Take time for yourselves in the new year, it can only do you good!

Rituals
This is perfect for those of you who want to start with 5-minute meditations. This app lets you choose between three guides — body, mind and moment – that were conceived to be listened to anywhere. All you will need is a place to sit comfortably, and a pair of headphones. If you get distracted, you can move on to shopping to stock up on your favorite bath products.

Calm
Do you know what white noise is? It’s a kind of neutral background noise that doesn’t distract your thoughts, actually, it seems to enhance concentration on whatever you are doing. Calm was born from the idea of using white noise smartly, first with a website and then with an app. It contains meditation practices that last up to 7 days, to guide you in a path of reflection and self-discovery. Their bedtime stories are the one unbeatable features, describing some of the most beautiful places in the world, to help you fall asleep and have sweet dreams.

Headspace
This is one of Emma Watson’s favorite apps, and that must count for something. You start with Take10, a program that teaches you to take 10 minutes of your day to practice meditation at some point of the day. After that, you can subscribe to their service and select the field you are most interested in. Headspace will help you clean out your mind and get clarity on anything related to relationships, work or health. And it will help you stay motivated with very cute reminders!

Stop Breathe & Think
3 easy steps, very nice graphics and very simple instructions will accompany you on a path of relaxation in just a few minutes. This app is really addictive, after you first try it you won’t be able to do without!

H*nest Meditation
And finally, the one app that might even work for a stressed out New Yorker. Jokes aside, H*nest Meditation helps you approach meditation without forgetting real life, with practices that can be 2, 5, 10 or even 15 minutes long, like the famous video that has been viewed over 9 million times on YouTube. «Just feel the fucking nonsense float away».