Headspace app

Headspace app

  • An app for people who want to learn and practice meditation.
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Headspace  app By Headspace Inc

Features

  • Guided meditation.
  • Meditation reminders.
  • Meditation tracking.
Country of origin New Zealand
Clinical review 

5 star review


Read a clinical review below.

Security and privacy

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PNG, 200 KB] Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ

Cost

Free trial version.
Subscription needed for full content NZD – monthly or annual fee.
Learn more about app charges

How to get the app

Users are guided through a short tutorial on how to use the app and a ‘basics’ section with 10 short audio files to be listened to over 10 days. After this users select themes such as ‘anxiety’ and ‘regret’ and each theme contains a series of guided meditation sessions. Users can set up meditation reminders and turn on daily mindfulness messages. The app also allows users to keep track of their meditation sessions. The free trial includes 1 meditation session from each theme. Users can subscribe monthly or yearly for full content (including a children’s section). For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews below.

PROS CONS 

Easy to use (users are run through a simple easy tutorial on first use).

Paid version includes meditations for children.

✔ Users can set up meditation reminders.

✔ Visually appealing.

✔ Meditations can be downloaded for use offline (only for paid subscriptions).

Full content only available with paid subscription

 

User review

5 star review



Reviewer
: Anonymous, NZ
Date of review: November 2018
Comments: It has helped me enormously and has improved my life. 


User review

4 star review



Reviewer
: Kylie H
Date of review: April 2018
Comments: The app has good training videos, great reminders, good experience guiding voice. It also has multiple selections e.g. basics, sleep, kids, health: managing anxiety, stress, depression, pregnancy, coping with cancer, pain management. brave: grief, regret anger, change, happiness, relationships, patience, happiness, work & performance etc.


Clinical review

5 star review



Reviewer
: Jodie Black, Counselling Psychologist, University of Otago
Date of review: November 2017
Platform: Android
Version: 3.2.0

Comments: Mediation can assist in a number of ways including regulating breathing, relaxing, reducing stress and assisting with conditions including anxiety, depression cancer and chronic pain. Like most things that are good for us meditation is only useful if we practice regularly. Headspace offers reminders to keep users on track and a range of packs to allow people to try different types of mediation and find the one that works best for them. The app is visually appealing and engaging, easy to use, has great introductory videos to get people started and a good range of single and themed packs. It is suitable for all ages and all levels of experience and provides “SOS” meditations for when stress is high and provides content tailored specifically for kids. However full content is only unlocked on subscription.
Safety concerns: Some people can find meditation uncomfortable initially, particularly if they are not used to sitting still with their thoughts and feelings. This app doesn’t really offer advice to the few people that may experience this or where to seek further support.
New Zealand relevance: The audio tracks recorded with a UK accent, although all content should be easily followed by all New Zealanders.

Mani M, Kavanagh DJ, Hides L, Stoyanov SR. Review and Evaluation of Mindfulness-Based iPhone Apps(external link). JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2015 Aug 19;3(3):e82.
Coulon SM, Monroe CM, West DS. A Systematic, Multi-domain Review of Mobile Smartphone Apps for Evidence-Based Stress Management.(external link) Am J Prev Med. 2016 Jul;51(1):95-105.

Other useful resources

This app has been reviewed by other independent websites.

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.