Mind Tools and Apps
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is awareness of what is happening in the present moment in the mind, body and environment. It is generally practiced as a form of meditation to bring greater awareness of thinking, feeling and behaviour patterns to improve the management of these with compassion.
The result is an expansion of choice and capacity in how to respond to life’s challenges to live with improved wellbeing, mental clarity and care for yourself and others.
Mindfulness is becoming widely popular in assisting people to improve their own mental wellbeing. Research has indicated that mindfulness has been found to be a key element to happiness.
This page provides apps for all ages that contain meditation and mindfulness tools to assist with improving your mental health wellbeing.
‘Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,” says Kabat-Zinn. “It’s about knowing what is on your mind’ (Jon Kabat-Zinn, Founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)
‘The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something: their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique’ (The Oxford Dictionary definition of ‘Mindfulness)
Apps to Consider
Subject
Smiling Mind: Meditation made easy
Description
Smiling Mind is modern meditation for young people. It is a unique web and App-based program, designed to help bring balance to young lives.
It is a not-for-profit initiative based on a process that provides a sense of clarity, calm and contentment
App Link
App for
Youth and Adolescents
Subject
Calming Apps for Kids
Description
There are no shortage of apps out there that make kids hyper. Any parent knows how hard it is to pry an ipad out of a kids hands when it’s time for bed. So we rounded up some end-of-the day options that are a good compromise. Whether they play relaxing sounds, or teach simple-to-follow meditation techniques, they can lull just about any amped-up kid to sleep.
App Link
App for
Children
Subject
Headspace Meditation App
Description
Using proven meditation and mindfulness techniques we’ll show you how to train your mind for a healthier, happier, more enjoyable life.
App Link
App for
Youth
Subject
Meditation Apps for Kids
Description
Kids of all ages can reap the benefits of meditation using technology. Meditating even only a few minutes a day has proven to reduce stress, boost immunity, aid memory and concentration, decrease depression and anxiety, and even make you more compassionate. Don’t know where to start? Check out some of our favourite meditation apps for kids.
App Link
App for
Children
Subject
Mindfulness/Mediation App
Description
Creator: Mind the Bump
Mind the Bump is a free Mindfulness Meditation App to help individuals and couples support their mental and emotional wellbeing in preparation for having a baby and becoming a new parent.
App Link
App for
Couple support during and after pregnancy
Subject
Mindfulness Tasks
Description
Creator: Conscious
This free app suggests a different informal mindfulness task each day. You can set reminders to prompt you during the day and you are given the opportunity to report back on your progress each evening. An interesting aspect is that you get to see how many people have signed up to the task with you, creating a sense of community in using the app.
App Link
App for
Anyone
Subject
Mediation App
Description
Creator: 1 Giant Mind
Learn how to meditate in 12 easy 15 minute sessions on the go.
1 Giant Mind is an Australian guided meditation app that can help young people learn how to meditate for improved mental health and wellbeing. Learn more about the program, and get information on when it is appropriate to use it, find out what young people thought of it, and read professional advice and young people’s tips for using it in practice.
App Link
App for
Everyone
Healthy Minds Geelong's vision is to create a positive culture of mental health across the Geelong region.
The HMG concept was born out of an identified gap in local mental health support services and in particular the need for a dedicated local information hub to help connect the community to local services, navigate the mental health care system and ultimately empower people to look after their mental health.