The practice of meditation has been around for centuries. It uses the practice of mindful breathing and guided imagery to help clear your mind of clutter. And not only is it beneficial to your mental health but also to your physical health.
As Ramadan is a period of reflection, we give some of the best free meditation apps to help you switch off and introspect.
Headspace
Headspace is a great app for those are just starting out. With 10 newbie-focused 10-minute meditation exercises, known as Take 10. It is designed to help you quickly understand what the practice is all about. There is also a personalised progress page, a reward system for continued practice, and even a buddy system for you and your friends to help each other stay on track.
The Mindfulness App
This app is packed with features, including a five-day guided meditation practice, meditation reminders, personalised meditation offers, and timers to keep you on track. There is even a health app integration capability. For anyone who is serious about their mediation practice, this is the app for you.
Calm
You can choose from a variety of guided meditation experiences with Calm. The selections range from three-minute to 25-minute sessions. Another option is Daily Calm, a 10-minute programme that you can practice right before your day begins or as it is about to end. Other features include more than 20 sleep stories, breathing exercises, unguided meditations, and more than 25 soothing sounds to help you get to sleep.
Meditation Timer Pro
Meditation Timer Pro is classic meditation. No bells and whistles, just solid exercises designed to let you get the most out of your practice. Use default options available or create your own specialised package. It includes customised start and stop chimes and background noise. You can also programme the app to log your meditation automatically to better keep track of your progress.
Stop, Breathe & Think
Honestly, the title says it all. With over 55 guided meditation selections - for both the beginning and end of your day - a daily mood tracker, plus the capability to customise chimes, Stop, Breathe & Think is your meditation mecca. The exercises focus on compassion, sleep, depression, and anxiety. Record your daily practice and track your progress throughout the year.