Headspace

What is Headspace?

Headspace is a mindfulness app with an easy-to-use interface that takes the seriousness and intimidation out of meditation. The free app provides users with the basics of meditation and mindfulness training with a 10 x 10 (10 minutes everyday for 10 days) course, with more themed meditations for a variety of aims available to premium subscribers. The app tracks your progress, and allows you to set reminders. You can also download sessions for offline use. Headspace takes a calm, relaxed approach to bringing calm relaxation into the lives of adults and kids. 

Headspace uses common meditation techniques -- such as body scans, becoming aware of environmental sounds, breath awareness, breath counting, and more -- to establish a serene, aware space for the mind to rest. Kids can learn the basics of meditation and mindfulness. As kids follow the instructions and are reminded by the app to meditate each day, they can develop the habit of making time for personal growth and self-reflection in different situations, such as bedtime and waking up.

The spoken-word exercises are designed to be used for around 10 minutes a day, starting with a 10-session pack that comes free with the initial download.

Its refreshingly simple appeal still holds, helped along by charming, yet memorable animations—such as the one that likens trying to control our thoughts to running into traffic (in other words, it’s better to just hang out and watch from the sidelines). The sessions, which focus mostly on sensations in the body and the rhythm of the breath, are forgiving for beginners—they even include a bit of break time to “let the mind do whatever it wants to do.”

HeadSpace for Kids

Headspace for Kids is a meditation app that has specific mindfulness activities for kids that can be used for a variety of themes, including sleep, focus, kindness, calm and wake up. Available to all subscribers and kids (and their parents) that can enjoy fun, engaging activities that teach them the basics of mindfulness. They’ll practice breathing exercises, visualisations and even try some focus-based meditation.

How can it help your child?

The app has bespoke exercised tailored for 3-5s, 6-8s and 9-12s. These include the following:

• Calm – This is a simple breathing exercise to help children feel calm and relaxed.
• Kindness – A visualising exercise to teach children about openness and generosity.
• Appreciation – Helps children learn how to appreciate other people and the world around them.
• Paying Attention – Using the power of the imagination to help children focus.
• Cool Off – This helps ‘rebalance’ children if they are feeling angry or frustrated.
• Sleep Tight – This activity helps children get ready for bed and fall asleep.
• Stay Positive – Aimed at children 6 and above to help them manage feelings that may leave them feeling confused, scared or sad.
• Goodnight – This activity will help children switch off after a busy day.
• Good Morning – This help children start the day right with stretches, breathing to wake up the brain.
• Rest & Relax – This is aimed at bringing children down from high energy moments to help them develop calm and balance.
• Settling Down – Activity to help young ones ‘uncoil and reset’

Is Headspace free for teachers?

Headspace grants free memberships to all K–12 teachers, school administrators, and supporting staff in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Does Headspace offer free trial?

Headspace offers a 7-day free trial and 14-day free trial that gives you access to the complete content library, including more than 500 meditations. 

How much does Headspace cost?

Headspace Plus costs $12.99 per month and comes with a free 7-day trial. The annual subscription costs $69.99 and includes a free 14-day trial.

The initial Take 10 program is free. A subscription costs $12.99/month or £9.99/month or $94.99/year or £74.99 with discounts for longer-term subscriptions. Headspace Lifetime subscription costs £399.99 or $399.99. This is comparable to other mindfulness apps and is a good value for the amount of content offered.

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You can download Headspace on your iOS or Android devices from the app stores. Download the Headspace app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.