Most of us could use a little stress reduction in our lives, and mindfulness apps have been shown to help. The apps promise to teach users a range of techniques, including how to deal with anxiety and negative emotions and improve focus, relationships and sleep. Some even reduce systolic blood pressure and cortisol reactivity during stressful situations, according to multiple studies. The benefits are clear enough for many to download a mindfulness app, but finding the best one can be tricky. To avoid getting an app that's not right for you, look for one with a teacher with a track record in meditation and mindfulness and that has a diverse selection of content to appeal to all types of people.

Insight Timer has a huge library of free guided meditations on topics like sleep, relationships, stress and creativity. The app also offers a paid option that can include courses with renowned teachers and advanced player functions. The free app feels more like a community than an individual app, with a world map showing meditators worldwide and a home screen that announces how many meditators are "with you" during a session.

Smiling Mind, a free mindfulness app that bills itself as a way to put a smile on your face, has a similar feel. The app focuses on skill-building, starting with basics such as breathing and body scans before moving to self-compassion and dealing with stress. Its ad-free model helps it avoid the distraction of paid content that can make other apps more expensive, and its focus on mindfulness skills makes it a good choice for beginners.

If you prefer an app that is more hands-on, check if it provides heart rate monitoring, which can be helpful to determine whether your heart is racing or you're calming down. Some mindfulness apps, such as Breathe and Smiling Mind, even allow you to review your heart rate later by opening the Health app on your iPhone, tapping Browse, then Heart Rate.

Another key thing to look for is how specific the instruction is. Many apps simply call themselves mindfulness, but the app content might be too general or lack a focus on awareness, acceptance and compassion. A few notable examples are Brightmind and Headspace, which both offer packages with specific practices on performance, relationships or — what everyone needs — how to be 10 per cent nicer.

While the latest research on mindfulness apps is promising, the studies are still small-scale and involve a limited number of participants. That's why it's important to compare and contrast different mindfulness apps to find the one that works for you, especially if you're planning on using it long-term. Look for an app that provides you with concrete meditation plans and personalized reminders, as well as timed sessions and useful statistics. It's also worth comparing the available guides to ensure that the app has something to suit your tastes and learning style. For example, the app Liberate was designed with people of color in mind, while Headspace has several renowned instructors, including former Buddhist monk Andy Puddicombe.