Written by Shelby Deering

I have no doubt that there is one thing we can all agree on: 2020 has been one stressful year. Throughout the pandemic and experiencing one trigger after another, stress seems to be an unfortunate mainstay of our lives. More people than ever are reporting mental health challenges, from anxiety to panic to depression, which are all perfectly natural ways to react to what’s going on in the world.

Luckily, if you are dealing with a mental health challenge, you don’t have to live there. In fact, you can retreat every day into a state of being that’s calm, peaceful, and free from stress. I’m talking about meditation, a centuries-old practice that’s tried and true and so applicable to the stress we’re all experiencing right now.

If you’re new to meditation or looking for a way to ground your routine a bit more, look no further than a meditation app. It’s a simple and straightforward way to work meditation into your day.

An App to Relieve Stress

The Aura app is a wonderful place to start if you’re searching for a grounded method to practice meditation. It’s the top app for emotional health and sleep, providing thousands of audio tracks that will help you be a lot more mindful—in addition to the meditations, be sure to check out the life coaching, nature sounds, and stories, too. It can guide you throughout a turbulent day, or it can ease you off to dreamland as well.

And you don’t have to be overwhelmed when first using Aura—you can begin your meditation journey with only three minutes a day and work your way up from there. Additionally, you can customize the app to your unique goals. For example, how long do you want to meditate every day? What are the emotional snags you’re struggling with? The Aura app allows you to customize the experience to personal preferences and needs.

Meditations for Tranquility

If you’re looking for a little guidance as you start using the app, we’re recommending a couple three-minute meditations that are timely for the stress we are all understandably dealing with.

If you struggle with intense anxiety and panic attacks, you can turn to Quieting Anxiety and Panic by Cindy Wolk-Weiss. This meditation will talk you through your anxiety and offer practical advice and questions to ask yourself when your nerves are frayed. It’ll also invite you to take a few deep, nourishing breaths, which is so necessary in those tense moments.

Or, you can soothe yourself through Calm and Rest by Lauren Ziegler. This meditation is ideal when you need to take a step back from everyday stress and just breathe. You’ll also repeat comforting affirmations, like “I allow my body to relax” and “I can rest right now.”

The Importance of Meditation in One’s Life

Meditation has always been an essential when it comes to addressing stress and mental health difficulties, and perhaps, it’s more important than ever now that we’re living through a global pandemic. You can learn how to weave meditation into your life through the post “Why Meditation is a Critical Part of a Self-Care Routine” and discover meditation’s benefits and how to seamlessly integrate it into your daily schedule.

Anxiety, panic, and depression are completely logical reactions to the time we’re living in. But you don’t have to set up camp there. Meditate, breathe through the feelings, and accept them as they come. You may just develop a mindfulness practice that will last beyond the pandemic.