7 best meditation and mindfulness apps to get you zen while in isolation

If being in isolation has you feeling tense, these seven meditation and mindfulness apps and programs will offer you some calm during the day.

If being housebound has got you feeling frazzled, you’re not alone.

Whether it’s working from home, cabin fever, homeschooling woes, or anxiety for the health of loved ones, life during a global pandemic is … stressful.

To adapt to the change, or find some calm in the storm, many people have been turning to meditation and mindfulness apps. But with hundreds, if not thousands of options on the market, the choice can be overwhelming.

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Sure, most people have heard of Headspace but what about the Aussie-backed Bloom, Chris Hemsworth’s fitness app, Centr, or the 10-lesson program developed by one of Sydney’s leading psychology clinics?

To help you choose, we cut through the clutter with these seven programs, which will have you feeling more zen and in control.

Just press play.

1. HEADSPACE

Cost: 10-part free intro course with plans starting from $19.99 a month.

Chances are you’ve tried Headspace or at least heard of it. The UK app by former Tibetan Buddhist monk, Andy Puddicombe was created with the intention of making mindfulness and meditation accessible to everyone and it’s done just that.

After a basic 10-session course, users are given access to the entire “Headspace Plus” library which includes curated meditations on topics like parenting, focus, health and many more modules.

Headspace also has a new “Intentional Exercise” library which features workout videos and audio sets for “mindful exercise”.

Download it here (it’s also available online).

2. SMILING MIND

Cost: Free

Developed by psychologists, Aussie app Smiling Mind was created to support adults and children with their mental health and wellbeing.

The not-for-profit organisation is completely free and includes guided and unguided meditations programs for things like sleep, stress-reduction, mindful eating and performance. For families, there’s also the option of group meditations, as well as sessions for kids of all age groups.

Download it here.

3. INSIGHT TIMER

Cost: There are thousands of free meditations available on Insight Timer’s free platform with it’s MemberPlus package costing $88.99 a year after a seven-day free trial.

The app is the only free offering with an expansive library of 40,000+ guided meditations on over 200 topics. These range from musical tracks featuring “nature sounds” or “sound healing” to meditations on grief, resilience and happiness.

The other benefit of Insight Timer is that it also includes talks and mindfulness programs with industry and spirituality leaders like Tara Brach, Elizabeth Gilbert and Sarah McLean.

Download it here.

4. 21-DAY MEDITATION EXPERIENCE

Cost: You can sample their programs for free however the full version are priced from $7.99.

Renowned meditation expert, Deepak Chopra and Oprah have united to get you meditating and feeling mentally better. The app allows you to buy programs which focus on specific areas of your life like staying present, increasing happiness and creating “miraculous relationships”.

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There’s also a very timely 21-day program called “Hope in Uncertain Times” which includes guided meditations as well as journaling and reflection activities. While it’s not the cheapest option – some of the programs can cost up to $69.99, the lessons are delivered by the velvet voice of Oprah Winfrey herself.

Download it here.

5. BLOOM

Cost: 30-day free trial. Monthly memberships start at $14.49 a month.

An Aussie app from entrepreneurs Chloe Szep and Molly Jane, Bloom incorporates mindfulness activities like colouring-in and downloadable affirmations with yoga and meditation.

While you can browse the app’s many activities, you also have the option to “log your mood,” which allows the app to suggest activities based on your current state of mind.

The app evidently skewed towards a female audience but the graphics and audio engineering are beautiful and the user experience is very considered.

Download it here.

6. THE INDIGO PROJECT'S GET YOUR SH*T TOGETHER ONLINE COURSE.

Cost: You can trial the first lesson or the full course is currently discounted to $50 (normal price $540).

If you’re someone who likes structure, psychologist and the founder of Sydney’s The Indigo Project, Mary Hoang has created a 10-lesson plan that incorporates guided meditations with videos, writing exercises and curated playlists on Spotify.

The lessons offer practical tools and strategies to manage your thoughts, emotions, and anxiety while also teaching communication and relationship skills. It’s like a therapy-inspired mental bootcamp.

View the course here.

7. CENTR

Cost: You can join for a seven-day free trial. Plans start at $29.99 a month.

If you want an app that caters to your mental and physical health, Chris Hemsworth’s buzzy app, Centr could be for you.

The Marvel actor has joined forces with health, nutrition, mindfulness and training experts with hundreds of classes on offer. These include 25-minute yoga sessions, guided meditations and sleep visualisations to sweat-inducing HIIT workouts and boxing lessons too.

Find out more information here.