Over recent years, more people are turning to sleep aids to get their eight hours. So much so, that in the UK there are over one thousand searches for ‘sleeping aids’ a month.
A recent study by OTTY has analysed the scale of the UK’s sleep issues, comparing Google Trends data between January 2019 and January 2021 revealed that searches for how to solve sleep anxiety rose by 371%.
As part of their Sleep Issues Report, OTTY has brought together a list of five of the best meditation apps ranked by user experience. From popular apps like Headspace to lesser-known apps like Happy Not Perfect, these are the best apps to help ease your anxiety as part of your evening routine. Remember to optimise your sleep to switch off from your electronic devices an hour before bedtime.
Headspace
iPhone rating: 5 stars / Android rating: 4.6 stars
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
Headspace is an everyday guide to mindfulness that sits comfortably in your life. Filled with world-class experts including Headspace co-founder Andy Puddicombe, Headspace will teach you the art of meditation and mindfulness.
Try the app during your bedtime routine, where you will be taken through a guided meditation for sleep, including nature soundscapes, music and storytelling sleep casts. You can build the app to suit your needs for a more personalised experience.
Whil
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars / Android rating: 4.4 stars
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
Whil has been developed specifically for busybodies who are too busy to meditate. The app offers meditation courses that last as little as five minutes. Made to help reduce stress, tension, anxiety and much more. Designed with teens and young adults in mind, it has been created to help the younger generation to learn about how stress and pressure can affect not only their mental health but also physical.
Meditation Studio
iPhone rating: 4.8 stars / Android rating: 4.8 stars
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
When it comes to meditation, there are a variety of areas where we want to target, from health to happiness, the Meditation Studio app can help you achieve your personal goals. The app contains monthly featured collections on opening your heart to kickstarting your creativity. You can also create your own meditation plan if you want a little bit of everything.
Calm
iPhone rating: 4.7 stars / Android rating: 4.1 stars
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
This award-winning app has a variety of exercises and breathing techniques to help you relax. Their guided meditations range from three to 25 minutes long. They have a feature called Sleep Stories which hosts a great mix of voice talent such as Matthew McConaughey to help lull you to sleep. If you own an Apple Watch you have access to new breathing exercises, calming exercises and even mindful walking meditation.
Happy Not Perfect
iPhone rating: 4.7 stars / Android rating: 4.4 stars
Price: Free with optional in-app purchases
You may not notice all of your surrounding stressors, this app allows you to enter your current mood and gives you specific meditation tips. From stress, anxiety and feelings of pressure on yourself, this app can help you centre yourself. Featuring courses and tips that can help you release any endless negative thoughts cycle. Happy Not Perfect can help you develop a positive mindset that can help you deal with unexpected life stress and anxiety.
When you come to meditate these apps will help guide you and stop the rushing thoughts of; How do I do it? How long do I do it for and when should I be meditating? Sleep experts at OTTY have reached out to workplace mindfulness expert Juliet Adams on how to pick the best meditation app for you.
“My top tip would be to start with the end in mind. What is your intention for meditating? What do you want to be different as a result of sitting down for a short while to meditate?
The term mindfulness and meditation are often used interchangeably but they are not the same thing. The aim of mindfulness-based meditations is not relaxation, but to observe and manage your mind.
That being said, many people do feel calm and relaxed after practicing mindfulness but it certainly isn’t the aim. There are many forms of meditations. If you want to relax and escape you might choose a guided visualisation meditation.
If you are angry or anxious and want to calm down, you might choose a meditation where you control your breath by breathing in for several counts and out for a number of counts.
If you want to relax and fall asleep there are meditations designed to do this, or you might like nature sounds based meditation.
Picking the right meditation for you at any given moment in time is the first step to relaxation.”
The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
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