Meditation is a powerful tool.

Singer-songwriter Jewel is a prime example of the practices life-changing benefits. In a recent interview with ABC News anchor Dan Harris, she said that learning to meditate helped her manage chronic anxiety and debilitating panic attacks, which stemmed from a tumultuous childhood.

I learned to do this meditation where I imagined I was on a very stormy ocean, she told Harris on his 10% Happier mindfulness podcast. Id imagine myself sinking through the ocean, allowing myself to relax, I would get calmer. I would notice the color of the ocean change. Id notice the taste of salt on my lips. Id notice the rays of sunlight coming in and the further I got down to the sandy floor, it got calm, it got tranquil by then, and I would look up at the stormy surface and it was in the distance.

The singer is certainly onto something: The benefits of meditation are robust. Research shows it canreduce stress, increasefocusand help with the management of painand sleeping problems.

If youre looking to add the practice to your life, weve rounded up a handful of meditation apps so you can reap the rewards, too. The programs will teach you how to meditate under any condition, give you the tools to handle things that make you anxious(the stress of the political climate, anyone?) and add an overall sense of calm to your day.

Scroll through the options below and find the one thats right for you:

Guided meditations cover topics like how to cope with anxiety, political stress or falling asleep. You can download the app for free with the option to subscribe for $7.99 per month. The app works onthe iPad, iPhone and Android.

Children can learn how toidentify their feelings, cope with emotions and learn social skills. Teen meditations focus more heavily on school transitioning and planning for the future. Adults will meditate on topics such as presence, listening skills, mindful eating. It also will help you learn "how to step back and pay attention to your thoughts and emotions," according to the Smiling Mind site.

Smiling Mind is a non-profit organization in Australia and the app is completely free. It can be downloaded on an iPad, iPhone and Android.

By doing so, the app aimstoteachyou how to observeyour thoughts and feelings without passing judgment with the goal of helping youcultivate kindness and self-compassion.

Subscribe for $6.99 a month for guided meditations thatconnect you to your body and emotion. The app works on an iPad, iPhone and Android.

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The Best Meditation Apps For iPhone, iPad And Android | The ... - Huffington Post