Quality sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being, but many people struggle to get the restful sleep they need. Technology can help by providing tools that promote better sleep. There are many sleep apps available, but not all are created equal. In this article, we'll introduce you to our 6 favorite apps for better sleep.
1. Insight Timer
Available for iOS, Android and web
Entry price: Free
Paid option: $60 per year
Insight Timer is the world’s largest free library of meditations with more than 130 guided meditations and 14k teachers. Won Apps of the year in TIME magazine and Women’s Health. Here is a sample of popular meditations available on Insight Timer:
Yoga Nidra For Sleep
by Jennifer Piercy. 23 min. Guided meditation played over 15M times and rated 4.7. https://insighttimer.com/jenniferpiercy/guided-meditations/yoga-nidra-for-sleep
Jennifer is from Victoria, BC, Canada and is an integrative sleep and dream educator, writer, mentor, yoga guide and recording artist.
Floating
by James Anthony Walker. 1 hr. Relaxing soundscape played over 12M times and rated 4.8. https://insighttimer.com/jamesanthonywalker/guided-meditations/floating-2
Deep Sleep
by Chris Collins. Soothing music composition played over 11M times and rated 4.8. https://insighttimer.com/indiemusicbox/guided-meditations/deep-sleep
Deep Healing
by davidji. 23 min. Meditation played over 3M times and rated 4.9. https://insighttimer.com/davidji/guided-meditations/deep-healing. Davidji is known as “the Velvet Voice of Stillness”. He has written 3 global best-selling books and has recorded over 1300 meditations.
Deep Sleep Meditation with Affirmations: Self Love, Patience, Detachment & Fulfillment
by Kenneth Soares. 1hr 43min. Guided meditation played over 1M times and rated 4.9.
Remembering Your Worth
by Sarah Blondin. 14 min. Played over 1M times and rated 4.8. https://insighttimer.com/sarahblondin/guided-meditations/remembering-your-worth
Fall Quickly Asleep With Gratitude Yoga Nidra Meditation
by Dr. Liz Slonena. 40 min meditation focusing on gratitude. Downloaded over 8k times and rated 4.6.
The Velveteen Rabbit
by Margery Williams narrated by davidji. Played over 365k times and rated 4.8. 28 min reading. https://insighttimer.com/davidji/guided-meditations/the-velveteen-rabbit
2. Smiling Mind
Available for iOS and Android
Price: Free
https://www.smilingmind.com.au
Smiling Mind is a non-profit web and app-based mindfulness program developed by psychologists and educators. This app is great for the whole family. Created in Australia in 2012 by Jane Martino and James Tutton with 6.6M downloads to date.
In the Mindfulness section of the Smiling Mind website, you can find a helpful video about the scientific benefits of mindfulness. In the At Home section of the Smiling Mind website designed to assist parents and caregivers, you can find an informative video about the benefits of mindfulness for children and families. Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity and without judgement.
Smiling Mind provides opportunities for formal mindfulness through guided meditations in the app and encourages users to practice informal mindfulness throughout the day (while brushing your teeth, cooking a meal or preparing for sleep). Smiling Mind is an excellent app that provides a wide variety of meditations for mindfulness, stress management, sleep, study, daily commute, digital detox, relationships and sports.
3. UCLA Mindful
Available for iOS and Android
Price: Free
https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/ucla-mindful-app
“Scientific research shows mindfulness can help manage stress-related physical conditions, reduce anxiety and depression, cultivate positive emotions, and help improve overall physical health and well-being.”
This app provides basic and wellness meditations in both English and Spanish and includes tips on how to get started, best postures, and the scientific reasoning behind a mindfulness practice. The app also offers weekly 30 minute podcasts and a timer to meditate on your own. On the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) website you can listen to meditations in over 15 languages.
4. Healthy Minds Program
Available for iOS and Android
Price: Free
https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app
The Healthy Minds Program was created by the Healthy Minds Innovation (HMI) which is affiliated with the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Healthy Minds combines neuroscience, traditions and skill-based learning methods to guide you through the four pillars of the science of training the mind. This app has no subscription and is funded completely through donations. It features active and seated meditation practices, podcast-style lessons and healthy minds reports to measure your well-being.
Pillar One: Awareness.
Learn to be fully present, calm and focused.
Pillar Two: Connection.
Develop connection skills through appreciation, compassion and kindness.
Pillar Three: Insight.
Be curious and decrease stress and emotional reactivity through exploring your emotions and reactions.
Pillar Four: Purpose.
Strengthen your values and principles.
5. Meditation Studio
Available for iOS and Android.
Entry Price: Free on iOS, 3.99 on Android
Paid option: $49.99 per year for Premium membership
https://meditationstudioapp.com/
The free option includes a dozen guided meditations, an unguided meditation timer and the Starter Series Course. For premium members there are over 500 meditations available. Over 70 teachers can guide you through meditations about sleep, stress, parenting, work and other issues.
Meditation Studio also hosts a weekly podcast every Tuesday called Untangle. This podcast brings in psychologists, neuroscientists, storytellers, buddhists, MD’s, sleep experts and nutritionists to talk about brain health practices and mindfulness.
6. Mindfulness Coach
Available for iOS and Android
Price: Free
This app was created by the US Department of Veteran’s Affairs’ National Center for PTSD. The goal is to teach mindfulness to veterans, service members and anyone else interested in developing coping strategies. This app has 12 guided meditations and allows you to set goals, track your progress and learn more about the benefits of mindfulness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, sleep apps can be an effective tool for promoting better sleep. The best sleep apps offer guided meditations, sleep tracking features, and tools to help you establish good sleep habits and improve your sleep environment. Our personal favorites are Insight Timer, Smiling Mind, UCLA Mindful, Healthy Minds Program, Meditation Studio and Mindfulness Coach.
You can enjoy all of these guided meditation apps with your Soli pillow - listen in total comfort and drift off to peaceful slumber.