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Studies have shown that meditation can positively impact both your mental and physical health. There are many benefits from practicing meditation such as stress reduction, improved sleep, increased focus, reduced chronic pain and even improvement in relationships. You may be able to build up areas of the brain and rewire it to enhance positive traits while diminishing less positive ones through meditation. The average person may feel slightly intimidated by meditation- but fear no more! Meditation apps have been created to supplement the mindfulness practice and can be used any time, anywhere. Here are some of the best, FREE apps recommended by expert guided meditators.

Insight Timer

Insight Timer is an app that allows you to pick and choose how long you want to practice meditation. It also allows you to personalize the style of practice and the involvement of guidance. It has a tracker that allows you to chart progress and earn badges to keep you coming back for more. The app is completely free in the Apple Store or Google Play and comes with additional in-app purchases.

Headspace

Headspace is a widely known meditation app that is used by many individuals. It comes with hundreds of guided meditations, mini-meditations and sleep sounds. Additionally, this app has “SOS Meditations” for emergency scenarios, as well as meditations for kids with animations. It is extremely versatile and can be used by a wide array of the population. You can download a free trial of headspace that comes with up to ten free meditations.

Calm

Calm is an app that provides meditation sessions from 3 to 25 minutes. Topics include calming anxiety, gratitude, mindfulness at work and many more. The app also has sleep sounds, nature sounds and breathing sounds that allow an individual to choose their focus. There are new meditations every day, progress trackers and 7-21 day programs for beginners.  This app is also completely free but allows for additional in-app purchases.

If you’re ever feeling stressed or tense and haven’t tried meditation yet, download one of these free apps and give it a go! Relaxation is just one download away!

Written by GUADS intern Lindsey with contributions from womenshealthmag.com