Smiling Mind app

An app for children, adolescents and adults who want to practice mindfulness and meditation.

Smiling Mind app	By Smiling Mind
	Features Guided meditation and mindfulness. Meditation reminders.
Country of origin	Australia
Clinical review	Read a clinical review below.
Security and privacy	Does the app: Collect medical information? Yes Require a login? Yes Have password protection? Yes Have a privacy policy? Yes Require internet access to use? No, but users need to download audio tracks for use off-line Read more about safety and security when using apps. Brochures: Tips to improve your privacy and security [PDF, 65 KB] Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ
Cost	Free
How to get the app	(external link) (external link) (external link)

This app has a selection of mindfulness and meditation programs for use in different circumstances (home, sport, workplace, etc.) and for different age groups. Each programme has a number of modules or sessions designed to be worked through over a period of time. Each session has a video or audio track that gives the user details of the lesson, activity or meditation to undertake.

For a more detailed description of the app, see Google Play(external link) or iTunes(external link) and for a detailed review, see reviews.

PROS	CONS
✔ Includes a vast selection of different guided mindfulness audio tracks for use in a variety of difference situations. ✔ Tracks can be worked through by following 1 particular programme at a time. ✔ Includes programmes for different age groups. ✔ Programs can be added to favourites list (or removed). ✔ Users can set up meditation reminders.	✘ Workplace programme requires paid subscription for access. ✘ Users are, by default, asked to complete a short questionnaire before each lesson. However, it is possible to switch this feature off in Settings.

Clinical review

Reviewer: Kris Garstang, Clinical Psychologist, Life Mind Psychology
Date of review: April 2022
Platform: Android
Version: 4.10.0
Comments: Smiling Mind is an app for children, adolescents and adults who want to practice mindfulness and meditation. Users can learn mindfulness skills and implement regular mindfulness practice. Consequences of regular mindfulness practice can include improved concentration, reduced stress levels, improved sleep, increased creativity and productiveness, better behavioural control and improved mood.
This app is one of the best mindfulness apps I have come across. There are a wide variety of programmes ranging from introductory mindfulness lessons through to advanced and situation specific programmes. There are programmes for all ages as well as programmes that families, school groups and work teams can do together. All of the content, apart from the workplace programme, is free to use making it accessible to a wide range of people.
NZ relevance: Most audios are recorded using a strong Australian male accent. However, newer files contain the option to choose between a male or female voice which may be more appealing to some.
Safety concerns: None.

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Clinicians guide: how to choose a health app
NZ Health App Library
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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.

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