Clinical review
Reviewer: Kris Garstang, Clinical Psychologist, Life Mind Psychology
Date of review: April 2022
Version: 4.10.0
Platform: Android
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
Clinical review
Reviewer: Dr Lynda Gee, General Practitioner, Auckland
Date: October 2017
Version: 3.2.2 Platform: Android
Comments: The app provides mindfulness training and progresses through modules with personalised logs. Appropriate material available for children and adolescents. Easy to follow audio files. The amount of content could be quite overwhelming as it's quite comprehensive. Very little pictorial content.
Safety concerns: None.
New Zealand relevance: Fine except that the audio file voice has an Australian accent.
User review
Reviewer: Kylie Head, Auckland
Date: April 2018
Comments: I quite liked the question check in with your self- we don't generally do this. Program choice Guidance through each exercise. Options available for children & adults A dashboard that illustrated my progress. didn't like the reminders to participate. I also felt that Youtube clips could heightened engagement/entertainment. Children found it hard to engage.
User review
Reviewer: Member of the public, Auckland
Date: August 2019
Comments: Loved this app for helping me go to sleep.
User review
Reviewer: Member of the public, Northland, Whangarei
Date: August 2019
Comments: The app provides a great range of guided meditations - the sleep ones have been really helpful.
