By Sandra Quinn

Just for a moment, imagine your smart phone without any apps.

Bleak isn’t it?

Without apps, your smart phone is suddenly not all that smart, and sometimes we don’t realise just how useful and life-enhancing these apps can be.

According to figures from Statista, 197 billion apps were downloaded in 2017 and people on average use about ten a day.

In our Sunday read at the start of this month, we looked at some of the best apps to have on your device – you can read it here; https://www.horizon-globex.com/the-best-apps-to-have-on-your-device/.

This week, we are looking at seven different apps to help you work on a healthier version of yourself with mindfulness.

People often use their phones for work and so the devices can sometimes morph into breeders of stress, but if you equip your phone with some mindfulness apps, you will have the tools to de-stress at your fingertips.

  • Aura – We understand that you have a busy life and while you might want to be more mindful, time is often an issue. Aura gives you wonderfully bite sized three-minute meditations, which you can just slot into your day when feeling overwhelmed.
  • Buddhify – This one really taps into where you’re at now and offers meditations based on what you are doing, so it is really fined tuned to what you are hoping to achieve and how you should be feeling.
  • Stop, Breathe & Think – This app is wonderful for getting you to do just that – stop, breathe and think. It gives you tools to take a moment of pause from your life and like Buddhify, it provides you with a meditation most suited to your current mood. This app is also great for those starting out and who are unsure of where to go for guidance.
  • Calm – Equipped with calming sounds from the moment you open it up, this app is ideal for those who just need to take a moment out of their usual routine to relax and unwind.
  • Smiling Mind – Its simple design really appeals to those who want less fuss and stress in their lives. There are options for choosing meditations based on age and parents can also learn how to help their children to embrace mindfulness, making it a nice app for the whole family to enjoy as a unit.
  • 10% Happier – This might appeal to those who aren’t quite there when it comes to sounds of the sea or sitting cross-legged in a quiet room surrounded by candles and soothing scents. It is more straight forward and possibly more accessible to those who are new to mindfulness or may be a little sceptical. Sessions can be slotted in around your daily routine and the app is based on the premise that happiness can be taught.
  • MindFi – This app might appeal to those people who are really busy and don’t have much time to fuss around with the apps. You can select what you are doing and indulge in a mindfulness exercise based on that task, for instance mindful eating. Again, this is a good one to start out with.

We hope you enjoy our recommendations and if you are looking to bring more relaxation, wellness and mindfulness into your routine, these apps might just kick start that process.