We all know the feeling. The only thing you can think of all day is kicking off your designer heels, jumping into bed and catching some much-needed shut-eye. But when you finally make it home, all you can do is stare at the ceiling for hours and wish sleep would finally come.
You already know that sleep is important for your health. After all, we’re supposed to get between six and eight hours every night. But just how important is it really?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, sleeping is not just for beauty purposes. Getting the proper amount of sleep benefits our brain function, physical growth, emotional well-being and daytime performance. Not getting the enough sleep can increase the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, stroke and even obesity.
So it seems that sleep is more important than you might think. If you have a hard time relaxing at night, try out these free meditation apps to get a good night’s rest.
This app (rated 4.8 stars) was created by bestselling self-help author Glenn Howard and was rated #1 in over 50 countries including New Zealand, Ireland and Norway.
To help users ease themselves into a peaceful sleep, the app employs four hypnotherapy recordings. The background soundscapes and Howard’s voice are meant to help you “connect with a profound feeling of relaxation,” the Relax and Sleep Well website shares. And if you feel like those did the trick, there are 80 in-app purchases for more recordings.
Healthline also picked this app as one of their 2016 Best Insomnia Apps. According to the website, “Everything in the app is designed to flow together and help you meditate.” On top of Howard’s voice, the app interface is also adorned in “soothing colors of white, purple and blue [to] help set the tone for relaxation.”
Sleep Easily (rated 4.8 stars) is a step-by-step guide to catch those Zs. The app was created to guide your mind and body to complete relaxation. The app features guidelines that were written and are read by Shazzie. It is also accompanied with music and sounds uniquely crafted by Ali Calderwood (an accompanied musician and healer). Goodnet writes, “Shazzie’s soothing voice helps you drift peacefully into a state of relaxation that will send you to sleep in about 26 minutes or less.”
While that may sound a little hard to believe, Amanda from Ox Gadgets tried the app and shares, “I wasn’t sure I would be able to relax with her voice, and each time I listened, I thought ‘no way is this going to work’ and then I was completely flat out asleep.”
Naturespace (rated 4.9 stars) provides you with six ad-free recordings from around the world. Naturespace is unlike any other app due to its choice to use high-resolution 3D sound. Electronic Products explains that 3D sound is also known as “spatial sound.” Because sounds come from all directions and distances, you are able to distinguish them by their pitch, tone and loudness. “If someone is coughing behind you in an elevator, you know which direction the sound is coming from without turning your head,” Electronic Products writes.
So, as the app says, “By supplying your brain with extremely realistic, tranquil natural environments, free from the auditory chaos of urban life, your mental state responds with relaxation.” These vivid nature sounds are meant to relax your mind and help manage stress, anxiety, insomnia, tinnitus and PTSD.
Meditate, sleep, track. This app (rated 4+ stars) features 25 different guided meditations from anywhere between two and 20 minutes. With three different guided programs to track your sleep pattern, this app is perfect for those looking for much-needed mindful meditation.
For a preview of what the app can do for you, visit the Calm website to pick your preferred method of meditation.
Or, maybe all you’re looking for are some relaxing melodies to put you to sleep. Relax Melodies (rated 4+ stars) lets you create a mix that suits your preferences. As the Smart Apps for Special Needs website shares, users are allowed to blend 10 different sounds to fit their current mood. For example, if the sound of running water calms you down, then you can use the river sound. And if you’d like a little more nature in the mix, add some chirping birds in there too.
Additionally, Relax Melodies claims you’ll be sleeping in 20 minutes or fewer with these soothing sounds. If you’re still not convinced, you can also use the app to read tips and articles on how to improve your sleeping habits!
What are you waiting for? Try out these apps and you’ll be sleeping like a baby in no time.
