Headspace

There’s so much going on today and in the midst of all the noise and chaos, it’s nice to have some space where you can be quiet and think. Headspace is an app that provides guided meditation for users.

Meditation is no longer considered a fad, and its benefits are backed by science. Several studies have shown that the benefits of meditation include:

• Reduced stress levels
• Improved memory
• Less anxiety
• Better quality of sleep

Indeed, meditation has many advantages; however, getting into the rhythm could be challenging for a beginner. The answer to that is guided meditation, and that’s why Headspace is such a handy app.

The app was created in 2010 and one of the co-founders used to be a monk. He used his experience with meditation to create several guided meditation videos that could appeal to users at different stages.

So, whether you are an old hand at meditation or a complete noob, the Headspace app has something for you.

This is how Headspace works

It is an app, so the first step is to download the app on your device. You can visit the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play Store for Android devices. Better still, scroll to the end of this article and click on the link to download Headspace.

Once you have installed the app on your device, tap the app icon to open it. Next, you will be asked to log in or create an account if you don’t already have one. Then you will be asked “What’s on your mind?”, followed by a list of options like “reduce stress”, “manage anxiety”, or “be present and mindful”.

Now, Headspace has over 500 guided meditation videos. However, you can only access them when you register for a paid plan. Headspace has no free plan.

Although the Headspace app is free to download, you need to pay for a plan to use the videos. You can either choose the monthly plan, in which case you will get a 7-day trial period, or the yearly billing plan, which gives you a 14-day trial.

The app then recommends a daily routine for you that includes meditation sessions for morning, afternoon, and evening. If you’d prefer some flexibility, then you can search for meditations that suit your mood.

Is there anything like Headspace out there?

Interestingly, there are quite a number of apps that offer guided meditation. And, some of them even have free options. Apps like Calm, Ten Percent Happier and Smiling Mind also offer guided meditation videos. Next, we’ll look at how they compare with Headspace.

Smiling Mind is an app that offers guided meditations and it is completely free. It is free to download and the content is also free. It focuses more on beginner meditations, though, so it might not be suitable for advanced users.

Also, the library is limited, but that is not necessarily a bad thing because it is easier to find what you need.

Although Ten Percent Happier requires a payment plan, there’s a lot of free content you can use to get a feel for the app before you decide to subscribe to a plan.

The closest to Headspace is Calm. There are lots of resources on the app, and they are not as structured as Headspace, which is good if you’re not so into structure.

Calm has about a hundred videos, not as many as Headspace, and you also need to subscribe to a payment plan to access the content.

Our verdict

Life can get chaotic, and taking time out to breathe can be a lifesaver. The guided meditations on Headspace offer an oasis in the midst of a hectic day.

Although there’s no free plan, you get access to hundreds of guided meditation videos that can help you in your journey to mindfulness.