Mindfulness apps in the UAE
In the wake of the current situation where people across the world have had to isolate themselves and adapt quickly to the new and unprecedented circumstances, there has been a perceivable impact on mental health and wellbeing. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the stress and uncertainty of the current challenging times, and need that essential “me-time” to unwind, meditation apps are a good solution. The practice of mindfulness has been around for centuries and uses techniques like guided imagery and focused breathing to help de-clutter the mind and anchor one’s self in the moment. Mindfulness applications — available on portable devices like smartphones — make these mental wellbeing techniques more accessible to all. If you are feeling more stressed out than usual, here are some mindfulness apps in the UAE that can help you switch off and introspect.
Headspace
Those who are new to mindfulness apps can download Headspace. The application offers a range of guided meditations to help clear away a busy brain. There are hundreds of sessions to choose from, all of which are meant to manage your thoughts, de-stress, improve sleep habits as well as your mental and physical health. A notable example of the services offered by this wellness app in the UAE is the short SOS meditations which you can tap into on the go when the need arises.
To put it into perspective, the app brands itself as “your gym membership for the mind,” by emphasizing that your mind is also a muscle and deserves every bit as much attention as your biceps or triceps.
Apart from the mentioned benefits, here is what’s in store for Headspace users:
- Daily meditations on new topics
- Move Mode workouts and mindful cardio
- SOS sessions for moments of stress, panic or anxiety
- Progress tracking tools
With over 60 million users across the world, Headspace is one of the most popular mindfulness apps on the market, with sessions lasting from three to ten minutes — pretty useful for getting your thoughts together on a busy schedule.
Download from: Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Aura
Looking for an app that can help control anxiety? Download Aura. Like Headspace, it’s one of the more popular meditation apps in the UAE. Unlike most online wellness tools that fall under a similar category, Aura is not created by one coach — rather, it imparts meditations, stories and life coaching lessons from top therapists and coaches from around the world. Additionally, it also uses user data to personalise recommendations.
Meditative sessions from Aura lasts no more than three minutes. With this app, you can:
- Track your mood and learn ways to improve your mood patterns
- Choose how you feel and opt for the best guided meditation for when you feel stressed
- Receive reminders for mindful breathers
- Meditate with music, hypnosis or un-guided meditations with a timer
Compatible with Apple Watch and other smart devices, Aura is one of the best mindfulness apps in the UAE designed to help users control their thoughts and increase positivity.
Download from: Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Breethe
Are restless thoughts preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep? Download Breethe, which helps you bounce back to a natural and happy state by offering guided meditations for real-life situations. The application also includes a mediation beginner’s programme that can get you started.
Breethe’s main features include:
- Music playlists for every mood
- Hours of carefully selected music to help you sleep soundly
- Bedtime stories to lull you to sleep
- Guided meditation to imbue a state of calm
- Inspirational masterclasses and talks from trained wellness coaches
- Morning meditations and an alarm clock to start your day on the right foot
Here is where you can download this application:
- Download from: Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Calm
This nifty, celebrity-endorsed mindfulness app in the UAE offers exactly what it says. Daily calming sessions from the Calm app are accompanied by soothing sounds from the outset with one purpose — to help you find your centre, unwind and relax.
Meditative sessions from Calm include sleep stories, breathing programmes, masterclasses and more. You can choose between different sessions which range from 3 to 25 minutes in duration, which gives you the option of choosing the perfect length to fit your schedule. In addition to the mentioned perks, Calm also offers:
- More than a hundred sleep stories
- Seven and 21-day programmes for advanced users and beginners
- Open-ended meditation
- Breathing exercises
- A 10-minute Daily Calm to help you ease into the day or before you sleep
Sleep Stories from Calm deserve special mention. Narrated by celebrities, the stories cover topics like the natural wonders of the world or the northern lights — perfect for lulling anyone into a blissful slumber.
- Download from: Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Portal
From the beaches of Hawaii to a log fire by the mountains, this app can help transport your mind away from a hectic life to environments that are more peaceful. Sure, they aren’t real but in times of mental crises, it can be the next best thing.
Like other popular mindfulness apps in the UAE, Portal also focuses on providing users with easily accessible meditation sessions. Apart from regular options, the app also allows users to choose from different ambiences thanks to the Philips Hue smart lighting tech. Sometimes, a simple change of ambience is enough to change your outlook into a positive one.
Key features from Portal include:
- 19 unique “portals” with five available for free
- Immersive 3D soundscapes from Emmy award-winning sound recordists
- Philips Hue integration with options to colour coordinate your chosen environment with your room
- Stunning visuals in HD
- Countdown timers for specific periods of focus
- Download from: Apple App Store and Google Play Store
Simple Habit
According to the Simple Habit app, one of the popular mindfulness apps in the UAE, it doesn’t take more than five minutes to achieve quietude. And just five minutes of meditation and mindfulness per day can improve your life by helping you sleep better and relieve stress.
The application dedicates the bulk of its library to brief sessions, perfect for the busiest of bees. All of the sessions are designed for common daily problems. A notable aspect is its On-the-Go feature which can help users quickly revert from an anxious state of mind to a relaxed one.
- Download from: Apple App Store and Google Play Store
All of these mindfulness apps in the UAE are free to download. However, additional content may only be available with a paid subscription.
If you prefer to accompany your mindfulness sessions with a calming work out session, online yoga classes in Dubai are a good option. Looking for applications that can help you work better? Consider our guide for work at home apps in the UAE productivity tools for working from home in the UAE. Expats who want to stay in touch with family back in their home countries may find free internet calling apps in the UAE to be handy.
Apart from these, government apps in the UAE make it easier for residents to do everything from paying their utility bills and getting in touch with the Dubai Police.
For more updates on the latest online tools in the country, stay tuned to MyBayut.
