Evaluated Experiment with Calm App: Our Experience and Insights Revealed
Many adults in the United States struggle with insufficient sleep, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, a significant number of individuals grapple with mental health conditions ranging from mild to severe.
Research indicates that mindful meditation can contribute positively to mental health and overall emotional well-being.
Calm, a multi-award-winning app for guided meditation and sleep, boasts over 100 million downloads and more than 1.5 million five-star reviews on its website. It leverages technology to enhance an individual's health and overall well-being, offering various features tailored to different user needs.
This article delves into the Calm app, discussing its functionality, features, effectiveness, pros and cons, and more. A Medical News Today editor shares insights from their personal experience with the app, providing a comprehensive review.
Overview of Calm
Developed by Alex Tew and Michael Acton Smith in 2012, Calm is a meditation app accessible on desktop, iOS, and Android devices. The app focuses on teaching mindfulness meditation fundamentals and provides access to a wide range of meditation sessions, programs, and exercises aimed at specific themes, such as dating, panic, anxiety, and deep sleep.
Beyond meditations, Calm offers breathing techniques, music, bedtime stories, and journaling prompts for individuals seeking stress relief, improved sleep quality, or anxiety reduction.
The app's free version provides introductory meditations, breathing exercises, background scenes, nature sounds, and content for younger audiences. Those wanting full access to Calm's extensive library can subscribe for between $5.83 per month and $399.99 for a lifetime subscription.
Calm's Impact on Mental Health
However, literature on the effectiveness of these online mindfulness applications is scarce. A 2021 meta-analysis of 34 randomized controlled trials suggested that such apps can aid in enhancing well-being and mental health but the long-term benefits remain unclear.
Some documented benefits include:
- Improving well-being
- Reducing anxiety, depression, and fear of recurrence in cancer patients
- Decreasing burnout among hospice and palliative care workers
- Reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Managing stress
- Enhancing the quality of life
A study in 2020 concluded that Calm effectively reduced stress and improved self-compassion and mindfulness in 88 college students.
Children's Mental Health
A 2020 survey analysis revealed that nearly all parents found Calm helpful for their children's sleep, although further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in improving sleep and mental health in children and teenagers.
Although Calm encourages daily interaction, a 2020 study noted that intermittent use can boost well-being, whereas daily use may lead to potential adverse outcomes, such as feelings of failure and demotivation if an individual fails to use the app daily.
Some users reported worsened mental health, with increased anxiety, agitation, and unmanageable negative thoughts.
Mindfulness Benefits
Mindfulness meditation is a component of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), an 8-week intensive mindfulness training workshop developed in the 1970s by Prof. Jon Kabat-Zinn. This practice includes meditation, yoga, and teaches individuals to be more aware of their bodies, behaviors, and emotions in a nonjudgmental manner, ultimately leading to better mind control.
A 2020 study found that MBSR effectively reduced stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms while improving psychological well-being in retired football players. Another 2018 review reported reduced anxiety, fatigue, stress, and distress and improved mindfulness and cognitive function in individuals with breast cancer.
While research on the effectiveness of mindfulness is limited, some studies suggest it may help individuals with stress, anxiety, or depression, whereas other studies display mixed results.
Calm's Limitations
The Calm app may not be suitable for individuals experiencing severe mental health symptoms or in the midst of a mental health crisis.
Using Calm
Upon entering the app, Calm asks for users' goals to create personalized content recommendations. Users can select from various options, including reducing anxiety, boosting self-esteem, and enhancing sleep quality. Users can also explore the app's extensive library, which includes sounds, stories, audio classes, and guided meditations, allowing flexibility in content selection.
Our Experience with Calm
An Medical News Today editor, who opted to stay anonymous for this review, used the free version of Calm for several years before upgrading in 2023 through their workplace. Their experience with the app is detailed below.
"I had been using the free version of Calm for a few years before obtaining the paid version through work in 2023. I found it incredibly user-friendly and straightforward to set up.
I admire the variety of options provided by this application, offering a wide array of guided meditations varying in length and performed by recognized figures in the mental health sector. These experts range from veteran names in the industry.
Furthermore, the app includes narrated tales on various subjects, which aid in relaxation when listened to, as well as stories tailored for children. My 10-year-old son finds these Kid's Sleep Stories incredibly effective in helping him drift off to sleep more swiftly.
I have been utilizing the Calm app consistently for several months and have reaped substantial benefits from it. I regularly engage with the guided meditations at least once a week and the Sleep Stories feature multiple times a week.
I have observed a significant shift in my mood on days when I use the Calm app first thing in the morning, typically only requiring 5 minutes.
I believe the Calm app is an excellent choice for individuals seeking aid in establishing a meditation practice for their mental health and overall well-being. It works well for people struggling with sleeplessness, including both adults and young individuals.
Discover more at CALM## User Reviews
At the time of publication, Calm had not been accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB issued the company an F grade due to its failure to address 17 complaints submitted by customers against the business.
The BBB's user profile for the company featured just four reviews, each awarding a score of 1 out of 5 stars. Complaints primarily targeted issues such as unauthorized subscription fees and poor customer service.
In contrast, the app boasted a stellar rating of 4.8 stars on the App Store and 4.4 stars on Google Play. However, across 236 ratings on Trustpilot, the app averaged only 1.8 stars.
Negative reviews often centered around:
- inadequate customer support
- problematic subscription cancellations
- some users finding the female voice unappealing and unsettling
- a confusing user interface
- concerns about the frequency of new Sleep Stories being released as promised
In spite of these criticisms, numerous positive reviews cited the app's effectiveness in assisting individuals fall asleep more quickly. Others praised the company's meditations as aid in managing stress at the end of the day.
Calm Offerings
The following services can be accessed through the Calm app:
- the Daily Calm: 10-minute mindfulness sessions tailored to different individuals with content changing daily
- over 100 distinct Sleep Stories, meant to aid individuals of all ages in drifting off peacefully, categorized as fiction, nonfiction, naps, and autonomous sensory meridian response
- Sleep Music
- guided meditations encompassing various themes, such as relationships or focus, running from 2–3 to 30 minutes in length
- unguided meditations that can be extended for extended periods
- content for advanced meditators
- a Daily Quotes feature
- a Daily Calm Calendar
- Calm materials for educators working with PreK – 12 students
- Calm Master Classes on mindfulness
- Calm Body Program, which offers easy movements and stretching for relaxation
Let us delve further into each service.
Meditations
Speakers guide meditation sessions, delivering content that incorporates mindfulness teaching and techniques.
Meditations can be accessed in three formats – stand-alone sessions, courses, or series.
Sessions vary in length, ranging from 3 to 30 minutes.
Sleep Stories
Sleep Stories are bedtime stories concealed within relaxing audio narratives for both adults and children. They function as aids to help an individual's mind relax, allowing them to fall asleep more readily.
Sleep Stories come in various categories, such as fiction, nonfiction, naps, and autonomous sensory meridian response.
Many Sleep Stories feature the voices of well-known celebrities, including Idris Elba, Harry Styles, LeBron James, Sophia Bush, and Matthew McConaughey.
Calm Music
Calm's music selection includes curated tracks categorized as soundscapes, natural melodies, work, relax, lullabies, and focus.
Calm Masterclasses
Calm Masterclasses are in-depth audio classes on diverse topics, such as screen addiction, creativity, habit-breaking, and conscious parenting. These sessions are delivered by renowned experts in their respective fields.
Individuals can access a free introductory course. However, users will require a subscription to access the entire masterclass library.
Calm Kids
Calm Kids offers a dedicated library with content suitable for younger individuals, including meditations, Sleep Stories, and lullabies. Meditations in this section assist children in learning calming techniques.
Discover more about meditation for children.
Calm Body
Calm Body offers a 10-minute guided video introducing visitors to gentle stretching and mindful movements to release tension and renew energy.
This section includes free 10-minute sessions that guide users through gentle movements and mindful practices to alleviate tension and rejuvenate their minds.
The Spark
The Spark is home to bite-sized interviews featuring athletes, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs, providing motivation, discernment, humor, and wisdom.
Breathing exercises
Calm provides numerous breathing exercises focused on achieving specific goals, such as stress reduction or physical relaxation. Users can modify the breathing rhythm (speed) and duration (length) of their practice.
Check-in
The app enables users to document their moods, sleep, reflections on daily events, and what they're thankful for.
Calm extends a 7-day complimentary trial to new users, but this trial automatically subscribes individuals to a year-long Calm Premium membership if not cancelled prior to the trial's expiration, within a 24-hour window.
Calm caters to various pricing options:
- $14.99 each month for a monthly subscription
- $5.83 per month or $69.99 annually for an annual subscription
- $399.99 for a lifetime subscription
- approximately $8.33 per month or $99.99 annually for a family plan accommodating up to six users
- a limited-time offer of $8.99 per year for students in the United States
Amazon Prime student members are eligible for a 3-month complimentary trial of Calm Premium and an yearly subscription at $8.99.
Team members of five or more can avail a 15% discount, while Calm offers a family plan for up to six individuals at $99.99 per year.
Free vs. Paid
Calm's services are gratis for all users. Upon signing up, users obtain a 7-day trial and are automatically upgraded to Calm Premium.
With the free version, users can savor a daily original 'Daily Calm' session, check-ins, varied scenes with sounds, and selected sessions from meditation courses.
The paid Premium subscription provides:
- over a hundred guided meditations on domains like stress and sleep
- a collection of Sleep Stories, periodically refreshed
- exclusive Calm Music designed for sleep and relaxation
- Calm Masterclasses offering in-depth discussions on mindful learning
LEARN MORE AT CALM## The Good and Bad
Before downloading or utilizing Calm, users may wish to contemplate the advantages and disadvantages associated with the service.
Advantages
- a 7-day gratis trial
- free content for users who do not opt for a subscription
- regular notifications
- capability to document meditation streaks
- customizability
- offers content tailored for children and families
Disadvantages
- expensive subscription fees
- concentration on mindfulness, requiring a learning curve
- sessions that might not suit everyone
- significant time commitment from users
- lengthy sessions occasionally inappropriate for mobility use
- diverse reviews on online platforms
Calm vs. Other Apps
Users might want to evaluate different mindfulness applications prior to purchasing a subscription for Calm.
Calm versus Headspace
Compared to Calm, the majority of Headspace's content is geared towards beginners. However, Headspace offers more voice options and enjoyably animated content than Calm's calmer nature sounds. Commuters appreciate Headspace's brevity-based meditations, lasting two to three minutes.
Discover more information about how Calm stacks up against Headspace.
Calm versus Buddhify
Buddhify's content is tailored for both novice and experienced meditators, like Calm. However, Buddhify does not provide a complimentary trial and lacks a desktop version. Like Calm, Buddhify's session durations range between 4 and 30 minutes.
Calm permits some degree of personalization, whereas Buddhify enables individuals to formulate their preferred meditation categories' wheel.
Calm versus Smiling Mind
Both Calm and Smiling Mind propose programs suitable for various age groups and can be employed in educational institutions and workplaces. Nonetheless, Smiling Mind's application is available for free.
According to the brand, Smiling Mind implements scientifically proven techniques to aid users in coping with typical daily challenges and encounters, such as commuting by public transport.
Though Calm supports numerous languages, including German, French, and Korean, Smiling Mind delivers meditations in Kriol, Ngaanyatjarra, and Pitjantjatjara.
The application includes traditional healers' skills to enhance users' wellbeing and mental health literacy.
Discover more about the top meditation apps.
Support at Hand
If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or self-harm, please seek help:
- Contact the 988 Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Compassionate counselors are accessible to listen and provide free and confidential aid 24/7.
- Message the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to associate with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential assistance 24/7.
- If you're overseas, locate a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Dial 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel secure to do so.
If calling on behalf of someone else, remain with them until help arrives. You may safely remove items that could inflict harm if you can do so.
If you're not living under the same roof, remain on the phone with them until help arrives.
- Mild issues: Individuals with symptoms lasting less than 2 weeks and of a moderate nature might find relief through self-care actions like physical activity, socializing, maintaining a balanced diet, discussing concerns with a trustworthy person, or practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or mindfulness. Symptoms might include a minor feeling of sadness while still performing tasks and taking care of oneself and others, as well as temporary sleeping difficulties. For those with more intense symptoms, consider the following.
- Intense symptoms: Those with more severe symptoms lasting over 2 weeks should consider professional assistance, including psychotherapy, medication, or neurostimulation therapy. A healthcare provider can assist in selecting the most suitable treatment option. Symptoms may include persistent sleeping problems, alterations in appetite, trouble getting out of bed due to low mood, loss of interest in hobbies and pastimes, thoughts of self-harm, and difficulty fulfilling daily obligations.
A medical expert can discuss the patient's symptoms, propose medication, suggest lifestyle changes, or recommend appointments with mental health professionals like counselors, therapists, and psychiatrists.
Find out more about the different types of therapy.
People struggling with sleeping can also benefit from consulting a healthcare provider. Symptoms of insomnia include:
- trouble falling asleep
- brief periods of sleep and frequent nighttime awakenings
- waking up very early in the morning
- poor-quality sleep
- daytime drowsiness
A healthcare provider can suggest lifestyle modifications, therapy, or medication to aid with insomnia.
Frequently Asked Questions about Calm
Here, we provide answers to common queries about Calm.
Individuals with mild symptoms of mental health issues or sleep disturbances might discover that the Calm app provides sufficient value for the money. It offers a wide choice of content suitable for adults and children, including guided meditations, bedtime stories, and soundscapes.
An individual can test the Calm app for free over a 7-day period. Subsequently, they can assess whether the content effectively addresses their concerns and whether they frequently utilize the app. Reflecting on these factors can help someone determine if the Calm app is advantageous for them.
Although Calm is popular, some individuals might find other companies' apps more suitable for their preferences. For instance, some apps are available at no cost or tailored specifically for meditation beginners.
Possible alternatives include Headspace and Smiling Mind.
Both Calm and Headspace can aid individuals in practicing mindfulness and meditation to alleviate anxiety or sleep issues.
Headspace may cater better to novices by providing more structured meditation and mindfulness practices than Calm. However, Calm features an extensive library of content for adults and children.
Headspace charges $12.99 per month, while its yearly subscription costs $69.99, equivalent to Calm's annual fee.
Users can try both apps with a free trial to determine which one best meets their needs.
The Calm app's pricing depends on the chosen subscription plan. A monthly subscription costs $14.99, a yearly subscription $69.99, and a one-time payment of $399.99 for a lifetime subscription.
Students can purchase a yearly subscription for $8.99 using Amazon Prime Student. Teams can get a 15% discount, and families can add up to six users for $99.99 annually.
In addition to the 7-day free trial, the Calm app offers access to some of its resources for free, including:
Summary
Calm is a well-known meditation app used by many for its diverse tools, helping users manage daily stress, anxiety, and sleep problems.
Many other apps are available for individuals seeking alternatives or those on a tighter budget or prefer free mindfulness apps.
An individual experiencing a mental health crisis should not rely solely on a mindfulness app. Instead, they should seek advice from a reputable mental health agency.
Given the text, here are two sentences that contain 'otheralternativetherapies', 'othermentalhealth', and 'meditation':
- For individuals seeking alternatives to traditional mental health treatments, other mental health therapies such as meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may be beneficial.
- Many people choose to incorporate other alternatives to therapy, such as medication and meditation, to manage their mental health and promote overall well-being.
