Headspace

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CLINICAL AIM(S)

Enhance Well-Being, Anxiety & Stress Management, Support a Childs Mental Health

INCORPORATED STRATEGIES

Mindfulness/Meditation

TARGET AUDIENCE

Children, Teens, Adults, Elders

SETTING

Standalone, Supplement

COST

Paid with free trial

LANGUAGE

English

Headspace is a mobile- and web-based guided meditation app suitable for all ages. It is intended to help people deal with stress, to increase awareness, and to promote well-being. It relies on the principle that regular practice of guided meditation and mindfulness can help to improve various aspects of people’s daily lives, such as sleep, stress, and relationships. While Headspace main feature is guided meditations, it also features a daily schedule offering different activities tailored to each part of the day, such as guided meditation (with a duration of your choice), mindfulness activities, podcasts, or music. Additionally, it provides a wide range of guided meditation programs and mindfulness exercises, activities centered around specific themes (e.g., movement, focus, sleep), as well as meditations for children by age group (under 5, 6–8, 9–12). To access the app's features, users must sign up for a payment plan, which includes an option for a 7- or 14-day free trial, depending on the selected plan.

Expert Evaluation

PROGRAM QUALITY
4.4 out of 5
SOURCE CREDIBILITY
Very Good
PRIVACY EXPLANATION
Almost Transparent
PROS
Pleasant graphics and a welcoming atmosphere/ Relatable narrator/ Variable meditation options.
CONS
Monthly fee may be considered high.
SUMMARY

Headspace is suitable for people who are new to mindfulness exercise or who want to engage in short daily mindfulness activities to help reduce stress levels. The children’s program has fewer options than the adult one, and parental guidance is advised, at least for the first few times of practice. Headspace is a well-structured program. Its graphics and illustrations are well-suited to the target goal and help to create a warm, welcoming environment for users. Throughout the program, users become acquainted with Andy who is Headspace’s founder, Andy Puddicombe. Andy’s character accompanies and guides the user, and narrates the meditations. Incorporating a character that walks users through the program creates a relatable experience and strengthens the user’s motivation to continue using the program.

NOTES FOR CLINICIANS

As described, Headspace provides a structured path that leads users step by step through the basics of mindfulness practice. It could be added as a supplement to treatment in cases where relaxation techniques and meditation practices would benefit the patient but are not covered in-person for various reasons (e.g., lack of time, lack of clinician training, or focus on other issues). The program’s price (at the time of evaluation) may be considered high for some patients, in which case we advise clinicians to suggest other meditation apps.

REVIEW DATE:
March 6, 2024

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