It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but amid the shopping, gatherings, planning and studying, it can be hard to find time to slow down, catch your breath, and take care of your own well-being. This season may be the happiest time of the year, but it is also the busiest and most stressful. To help you through the next few weeks of holiday hustle and bustle―and the crunch of studying for finals―we have put together four of our favorite meditation apps that will help you stop for a second, catch your breath, and work on you!

1. Stop, Breathe and Think

It’s amazing what can be accomplished when you take a minute to soak in your surroundings and really focus on what you’re doing in that very moment. This free app encourages you to do just that. It offers over 30 free sessions―most of which are only about 10 minutes long―to help you cleanse and refresh your mind. Use the “Stop, Breath & Think” app to find a few minutes of peace whenever you need them in the course of the day. Eventually, it will become second nature to take a moment to be in the here and now.

2. Chill

With the busy task of studying during the holidays, it can be hard to find time to chill. “The Chill” app is a free subscription that sends mindful messages throughout the day, like “It exists right here, in this moment,” and “Come back to your body,” to make you stop and slow down―even just for a second. When you open the notifications, inspirational quotes from the likes of Buddha and Lao Tzu are presented to you.

3. Calm

The “Calm” app offers a huge variety of soothing sounds―from falling rain and thunderstorms to a crackling fire and white noise. You can play these sounds in the background along with the option of listening to music at the same time, which can be extremely relaxing. You also have the chance to practice breathing and meditation with the “Seven Days of Calm” daily free meditation guide, as well as set reminders throughout the day to take breaks. In addition to these features, this app also has a subscription―at $4.99 per month―to unlock meditation sessions for commuting and “sleep stories.”

4. Headspace

The “Headspace” app shows you the necessary steps to follow for taking care of yourself and becoming a better, calmer, and more content person. It starts with 10 free sessions to help make you feel more comfortable with meditation. If you like these and want to try more tailored sessions that focus on commuting, sleeping, stress and more, a subscription can be purchased at $7.99 per month. Additionally, the paid subscription offers SOS exercises to provide relief when you feel over your head and need to calm down quickly. This app’s blog is also a great resource as it offers helpful tips on how to practice mindfulness as well!

We hope these apps help you unwind as you stop and take a moment for yourself. Good luck with finals and have a wonderful holiday season, remembering, of course, to make time to take care of yourself.

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