Which mindfulness app is free?

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention at the moment, without judgment. In recent years, the practice of mindfulness has grown in popularity as more and more research reveals its helpfulness with a number of issues. Therapists, doctors, and more recommend mindfulness to aid in stress reduction, depression, anxiety, and even trauma.

Some research using MRI or magnetic resonance imaging has shown that the brain changes in positive ways following the use of mindfulness. At the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program, or MBSR, has been used since the 1970s.

If you want to learn mindfulness, there are many ways to go about it. Online courses, therapists, and yoga studios are all options for learning mindfulness. Some of these are free, like this course modeled on the research-proven MBSR program and constructed with free and public information found online. Others cost money, and the cost can be a deterrent if your budget is tight.

One of the biggest positive points of mindfulness is that it is a skill that anyone can develop with practice, and there isn’t any equipment necessary to purchase to do it. A great resource may be free through your public library, where you can find books on mindfulness for free.

Apps are a good resource because they’re readily available; they often have a very guided practice that is helpful to beginners. Some apps are free to use, at least at a certain level, with more content or perks available for a yearly or monthly subscription fee. Some of the apps available are:

1. Insight Timer. This app has a free version and loads of free guided meditations.
2. UCLA Mindful. This app was created by the Mindful Awareness Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles. If you want a research-driven and free approach – check this one out!
3. Smiling Mind. This app has many free meditations, organized into programs like ‘mindfulness’ and ‘sleep.’

Each of these apps features a free version and a paid version with additional perks. Please note that the best mindfulness app will depend on what suits you best as an individual, and these are just some that are available. Mindfulness is a helpful practice that can be cultivated with or without some form of technology.