Originally published in TEACH Magazine, July/August 2017 Issue
We often seem to be in a rush, with a need to complete an endless list of tasks, so it’s easy to lose connection to the present moment. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing attention to just that—the present moment—and accepting it for all that it is, without judgment. Mindfulness and meditation can improve well-being, physical health, and mental health. Since summer is the perfect time for teachers to take a moment to slow down, here are some tools to keep mindfulness and meditation at your fingertips.
Breathe2Relax
(Free – iOS, Android)
A good start to get into meditation
Breathe2Relax is a portable stress relief tool. Mental health experts maintain that diaphragmatic breathing is a fundamental part of stress relief. The app provides detailed information on the effects of stress on the body and guides you through exercises with clear videos that help you practice and master the technique. Plug in your headphones and inhale/exhale your way through any stressful time.
Calm
(Free – iOS, Android, Website)
If you’re a beginner in meditation
With Calm, you can choose from a variety of guided meditation experiences, making it a great mindfulness app for beginners. There are also programs for intermediate and advanced users. The selections range from 3- to 25-minute sessions, so you can pick the perfect amount of time to fit with your schedule. Another option is Daily Calm, a 10-minute program you can practice right before your day begins or as it’s about to end. Features include more than 50 sleep stories, breathing exercises, unguided meditations, and over 25 soothing sounds to help you sleep.
Headspace
(Free – iOS, Android, Website)
Getting to know different uses of meditation
This app introduces users to various uses of meditation and mindfulness. With their free Basics pack, Headspace teaches users the essentials of living a healthier, happier life. The app provides hundreds of meditations on topics such as stress and anxiety, sleep and focus, building healthy relationships, and even sport packs to keep athletes’ minds fit.
The Mindfulness App
(Free – iOS, Android, Website)
For advanced users
If you’re intermediate or advanced in mediation, this is the app for you. Used by millions of meditators in over 130 countries, this app comes packed with features, including a five-day guided meditation practice, meditation reminders, personalized meditation offers, and timers and statistics for keeping you on track. There’s also a health app integration capability that allows users to sync meditation practice time.
Smiling Mind
(Free – iOS, Android, Website)
A mindfulness tool for the whole family
Smiling Mind is a free modern meditation app developed by psychologists and educators. Programs are designed to help people with mindfulness and meditation while dealing with the challenges of daily life. One of the most unique things about this app is that it’s not just for adults. The meditation content is sectioned in different age groups for children as young as 7 years old. Families are encouraged to create sub accounts so they can manage everything in one app. There’s also a Mindfulness in the Classroom section for educators, at a variety of grade levels, so they can use the meditation exercises during the school day.
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