Free (Or Almost Free) Mindfulness Apps That Offer Mental Health Support

More people are turning to mindfulness apps to support their mental well-being—Here are a few that we think are worth trying.

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The Wall Street Journal reports that more than 2,000 new meditation apps launched between 2015 and 2018, and offerings have only increased as a result of higher demand during the pandemic—according to the New York Times, mindfulness apps surged in 2020. Here are a few apps that are using mindfulness to offer mental health support.

3 Mindfulness Apps That Offer Mental Health Support

1) Sanvello

Based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness meditation, Sanvello offers personalized strategies to help you find relief from anxiety, stress, and depression. You can track your mood and choose exercises tailored to your result—including meditations, videos, articles, and prompts. Users can also connect with a coach or therapist via message, and with other users through discussion boards and chat groups.

2) Rootd

When you’re having a panic attack, Rootd offers a literal “big red button” to press when you need help facing anxiety or finding comfort. When you press the button, the app offers prompts to help return you to a sense of calm. These are audio reminders about what a panic attack is, how long one may last, and how capable your body is of handling what you’re feeling. You can also follow the short- and long-term lessons on anxiety at your own pace— which include deep breathing instruction, mindfulness meditation, and other mindful tools like journaling.

3) Unwinding Anxiety

Unwinding Anxiety offers short practices and lessons based on mindfulness training to help you “change the ‘habit loop’ that leads to anxiety.” Over the course of the program designed by neuroscientist Judson Brewer, you’ll map out behaviors of fear and anxiety and work to replace habitual patterns of worry. As you go through the modules, you can journal within the app to track your anxiety triggers and progress, and join weekly live calls with Brewer and other experts.

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