7 Apps to Ease Anxiety and Stress During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Meditation has been scientifically proven to improve a whole host of health aspects — including stress relief, control anxiety, improve self-image, enhance awareness, lengthen attention span and reduce memory loss, fight addiction and even improve happiness. Many of those struggles are especially at the forefront now, with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing.

There are many apps that provide guided, daily meditation for beginners. Apps are tailored to fit any lifestyle — from "busy, on-the-go without a-minute to spare," to "stuck at home looking for a diversion (and some relief)," and every situation in between. We rounded up 7 apps to ease anxiety and stress during the coronavirus pandemic.
 

1) Headspace

Cost:
$95/year
$12.99 per month
(First 10 days free)

Could it really only take a few minutes a day to build the life-changing skills of mindfulness and meditation? With consistency, diligence and discipline — and a daily visit to the Headspace app — it most definitely can.

Headspace offers a free, 10-day introductory program (there are even reminders for days you forget). From there, you can build on your beginner skill-set with the easy-to-follow guides, bright animations and a practical, modern approach to mindfulness.

> Read a full review of Headspace here.
 

2) Calm

Cost:
$59.99/year
$12.99/month
(First 7 days free)

If you’re looking for a bit less structure in your meditation routine, but still enough guidance to get you going, Calm is for you. The app is customizable and offers things like ambient music and sleep guidance to assist in all aspects of reducing stress and anxiety.

Calm is free for the first seven days, and its relaxing stories before bedtime, 10-minute unwinding program and progress tracker makes it a great option for folks — particularly those who are a bit more experienced or looking for sleep assistance.

Read a full review of Calm here.
 

3) Aura

Cost:
$94.99/year
$11.99/month

Meditation teachers and therapists banded together to come up with Aura, which uses artificial intelligence to guide you to meditations based on your emotions in the moment.

Users can choose between 3-minute, 7-minute or 10-minute meditation sessions and are encouraged to build sessions into daily routines. Some people report bugs with the app, but overall, it is well-received, particularly for beginners.

Read a full review of Aura here.
 

4) 10% Happier

Cost:
$96/year
$5.99/month
(First 7 days free)

10% Happier is an app with a mission: Show anyone who thinks meditation is silly or doesn’t work just how beneficial it can be. Meditations focus on love, joy and gratitude to help you become happier — even if it’s just 10%.

The app works to make meditation more accessible and understandable for people who have no idea where to begin. It also connects users with therapists and coaches who can help you through the process and will personally respond to inquiries.

Read a full review of 10% Happier here.
 

5) Inscape

Cost:
$58.99/year
(First 7 days free)

Stress reducers. Guided meditations. Custom sleep sessions. All are a part of Inscape, an app from a luxury mediation studio based in New York City.

Also a part of Inscape are playlists, which are designed to help with all of life’s troubles — easing anxiety, hitting the books, relieving stress, you name it. Inscape is a great way to take your meditation to the next level or kick off your journey with short, targeted mindfulness sessions.

> Read a full review of Inscape here.
 

6) Simple Habit

Cost:
$99.99/year
$11.99/month
(First month free)

Simple Habit is great for busy, on-the-go people who want to build quick, 5-minute meditations into their daily routines. Mediations run the gamut and include things like “Unwind After Work,” “Morning Anxiety,” “Worry Free Sleep” and more.

Most of their meditation library focuses on these short, quick-hit sessions, which can be done everywhere from the comfort of your own home to the checkout line at the grocery store.

Read a full review of Simple Habit here.
 

7) Sattva

Cost:
Free with optional in-app purchases

Ancient meets modern with Sattva, an app that uses mantras, chants, meditations and music with timers and trackers.

Sattva’s playlists can be customized based on moods, goals, desires or the time of day. There’s also a mediation community where you’ll find things like group meditations, live video events and challenges. You can even find mudras — hand positions or gestures to facilitate to the flow of the energy through the body.

Read a full review of Sattva here.

Do you have a favorite meditation app that we missed? Share it in the comments below!
 

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Author: Caitlin H
Diet-to-Go Community Manager

Caitlin is the Diet-to-Go community manager and an avid runner. She is passionate about engaging with others online and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. She believes moderation is key, and people will have the most weight loss success if they engage in common-sense healthy eating and fitness.