Healthy Minds Program Reviews

The concepts behind HealthyMindsProgram are important and probably ground-breaking, but it is so frustrating to use, I will be deleting it. First, it's close to impossible to return to specific meditations or learning sessions that you may find helpful, unless you take the time to back out of the lesson, then note and memorize how it is "mapped", like on a PC. Or is the assumption that users will become proficient at or memorize these sessions after only one hearing? (I think there is ample evidence in the literature to illustrate that memorization is not a good strategy for learning.) Second, one of the main presenters consistently speaks too fast, like a radio newscaster with a limited time slot or a student rushing through a class presentation that he just wants to be over. The speed at which the lessons are presented is so nerve wracking, it's a relief when the principal investigator makes cameo audio appearances, as both his tone and presentation speed are easy to settle into, enhancing comprehension. Finally, meditations meant to prepare for sleep are no different in tone or speed to other meditations-definitely not relaxing. I will be deleting HealthyMindsProgram and instead, read the primary research.

I started this program about a year ago and have nearly finished all of it. The techniques learned have been so critical in shaping my every day life.

My only qualm, is that there is not enough time given between guidance during meditations to genuinely get into the flow of the practice. It’s quite jarring to be interrupted every minute or so to be checked back in with.

I know that these are mainly techniques that we are learning in order to practice in our daily lives, but I think it’s equally important to have more space during the guided practice. Wish this could somehow be changed or have an option at least to select space given during meditation.

I can appreciate the concept of being mindful during any activity I am doing. However, (even though I am just at the beginning of Healthy Minds, and fully intend to go through the course) I am finding it difficult to grasp the concept of actually meditating while performing another activity. Cort seems to keep coming back to that as something that’s good to do. Today I tried decluttering my space while listening to the meditation, butI had to actually think about what I was doing while decluttering. So the meditation was a bit distracting from my activity, and vice versa. Also, at some points the actions I was taking created enough white noise to prevent me from hearing Cort’s guided meditation. So I think from here on out, I’ll just do my meditation in the traditional sitting position.

I found out about HealthyMindsProgram because I was participating in a research study for it. The study only required me to use it for a month, but I liked it so much I used it for several more months and finished the course. I have tried several other meditation apps but this is by far the best. The creators are not greedy. Everything about HealthyMindsProgram is FREE and you can choose to donate only if you want to. So far I have only used the main course and the unguided meditations, and I love that it has both options, as well as many other courses and mini-meditations to choose from. You can personalize it to your needs, choosing the length and type of meditation you want to do. It connects to Apple Health as well. The main course on HealthyMindsProgram has brought noticeable change into my life and has explained concepts of meditation and life balance in a way that finally makes sense to me. HealthyMindsProgram has every good trait I have ever seen in a meditation app, with none of the bad. I am so grateful to the creators for doing what they do, and I will be recommending HealthyMindsProgram to everyone I know.

Hi everyone, I comment quite a bit but rarely ever give 5 stars. H-M is the best meditation app out. (Especially for beginners) H-M is very easy to navigate and very easy to understand. It is a Non-profit app which means it is free to use but you can (and highly recommended to) donate to. I believe meditation is very important to both physical health and mental health. To offer something so detrimental to your health for free really says something about who they are and about their motives. They care about helping people stay well both mentally and physically. When I joined I was starting my life over from scratch. And I used HM to get back on track. So try HM, you won’t be disappointed in the least.
P.S… to the HM staff, thank you very much for all you offer to people. Your app helped me in a very dark time of my life. What you all do does not go unnoticed. THANK YOU
-J

I’ve been interested in and read about mindfulness and meditation for years. And I’ve practiced meditation and tried a few apps to help. I thought my practice was beneficial but didn’t really get me anywhere so I started looking for courses. I was going to pay for another app but found this one. It’s excellent in several levels.

HealthyMindsProgram provides educational talks followed by guided meditations which helps if you like to understand then implement. The interface is sophisticated but easy to follow. You can see how you are progressing through HealthyMindsProgram /course. You can choose the length of the meditations and the speakers.

HealthyMindsProgram would be worth paying for but it’s free.

I love, love, love this program … and Cortland’s voice! I have dabbled in meditation lessons since I ordered Jon Kabat Zinn’s cassette tapes in the 90’s. I have quite a bit of experience with a variety of meditation programs and teachers. Many are good. This one is outstanding. I appreciate the organization and sequencing of the sessions, the science-based material made accessible for the general public, the program’s balance between instruction & opportunity to practice what has been learned, and the encouragement to take our enhanced skills out into the wider world to benefit ourselves and others. I drift away from using HealthyMindsProgram periodically but it always feels like coming home when I pick it up again.

I am so glad I found HealthyMindsProgram. I don’t think a more high quality free resource exists for mental health and meditation. I’ve tried many others and paid some heavy fees, but this is the one I have gotten the most out of and find myself drawn back to. It’s clear HealthyMindsProgram developers have evolved the product over time and what they have now is pretty incredible. It is straightforward and simple so doesn’t overwhelm me as to what I should be doing but has enough flexibility to allow me to choose a meditation I want or need at any given moment. I also like how the lessons build on each other. I am happy to support HealthyMindsProgram , I hope it reaches more people who could really benefit.

I was always real apprehensive whenever I heard the word meditate. Mostly because I felt like I was never able to fully understand or grasp the act of meditation. Many other apps and as well as live guided meditation didn’t really put into Lemans how to possibly get over the whole idea that I can’t do it. I love HealthyMindsProgram and recommend it to everyone I’m just glad it’s free because when I got out of two days of two days was amazing. I can’t believe what just two days did, I look forward to seeing how my brain trains after a month. So for the manufacturer of HealthyMindsProgram and author thank you so much I feel like all of my life I’ve been negative and because of HealthyMindsProgram I’m learning how to be positive and how to appreciate life.

I enjoy several “mindfulness” apps very much. The uniqueness of HealthyMindsProgram is that it a very well designed training program. That is, it provides a sequential path filled with short podcast like lessons followed with specific exercises that allow you to practice the specific skill described in the podcast. It is also very flexible. Although a specific exercise might be suggested you are also encouraged to personalize your experience. This also includes how long you want to do an exercise or whether you want to be active (for example - walking) or sitting. I have found it to be personally very helpful in filling in some holes in my meditation practice and helping me bring my practice “off the cushion and into life”

HealthyMindsProgram was created by the Center for Healthy minds at UW-Madison and is based on the meditation research they and others do. HealthyMindsProgram is fantastic because, in my over ten years of dabbling in meditation, this is the only platform that has kept me accountable and structured so that I’m actually practicing regularly and not just once in a blue moon. I think this is because there is a set curriculum that you can take at your own pace. The set clips alternate between learning clips and customizable meditation sessions focusing on particular skills or topics. You can choose between a number of different speakers (who are all great), the length of time you want to meditate, and whether it is an active or listening meditation. HealthyMindsProgram is a fantastic resource and has made a big impact in my life already. I urge anyone and everyone to try it out!

I have tried so many mindfulness apps over the years: Insight Timer, Heapspace, Calm, DARE, some of which I have paid for and, honestly, I have not seen the same results using these apps as I am seeing using Healthy Minds Program. And it’s free on top of that! I listen to one of their lessons or meditations every night right before bed and sometimes I fall asleep with my earphones still plugged in and I wake up feeling refreshed and hopeful about the future finally. My anxiety and panic have calmed down a lot, for the first time in many years I feel empowered about my mental health and it makes me feel more in control of my health. What I mean by that is I know now that if I am proactive about my mental health, like I do a session of yoga and do a meditation daily, then my mind will be relatively calmer for the rest of the day than without those moments of mindfulness. I feel hopeful that I can one day feel better. Thank you so much to the developers of HealthyMindsProgram and particularly for making it free. It’s totally a godsend for me.

I’ve been working on my personal mediation practice on and off for years. Recently I was introduced to the book Altered Traits which chronicles the work of the authors in their quest to discover how meditation changes the brain’s neural connections.

At the end, there was a mention of HealthyMindsProgram so I decided to give it a try. It is so well structured and presented. Many apps charge a significant monthly fee. They merely ask for a donation if you find it of benefit.

Most surprising is how these benefits do not require hours in silence. Instead, they teach you how these practices can be done anywhere at anytime. My only recommendation is to commit to following the program. They have spent decades researching what works and how to implement meditation into your life. Why not give it a try? I believe you will find it well worth the minimal time and effort.

Overall this is a great app that teaches its users how to meditate. The lessons and practices are well thought out and enlightening. However one thing that seems kind of negatively impactful is the streak system. Since it’s unrealistic for users to meditate every single day. Sometimes things get in the way or you just forget. So I think changing the streak system to be more forgiving like other learning apps such as duolingo could be a positive change.

You could theoretically change into something percent based like the percent of healthy minds days out of days since HealthyMindsProgram was downloaded. To encourage users to keep a relatively high percentage instead of a streak.

Some kind of random daily meditation feature might be nice for users who’ve already went through the whole path.

Let me first say that it takes individual accountability to be mindful and continue to be throughout each day. That being said, if you are committed to this program, it’s designed to give you the daily practice, guidance and focused meditation to be the best version of yourself and spread your happiness to the world. It’s focus on cognitive development of skills and tools will help you be more positive, grow in your awareness, and appreciate all aspects of life— even through the struggles we all face. Don’t waste another day with anxiety, worries, or intrusive thoughts that you may feel control your life (or some aspects of it). This is a highly researched, science-based, practical program that will help you BE YOU, the way you were meant to be— Happy, Fulfilled, Caring, Mindful, and Calm. Thank you UW research team! You were really ‘mindful’ about developing this program. ♥️🤍

I wish I had this before Calm, but I didn’t know this existed until a few days ago! While Calm is a great app and I’ve learned some good techniques (and get it free through work), this one is much more helpful especially if you’re just starting out.

I’ve had Calm for 2 years and have found it difficult and sometimes not very motivating to meditate regularly but it’s nice if I’m struggling with something specific as they have a plethora of emotion, habit, etc meditations to choose from. But 4 days with HealthyMindsProgram and I’ve learned more about the science, more statistics, and more techniques and feel more motivated to stick with it.

This might not be the journey for everyone but I’m a sucker for knowledge and feel this will also help me on my trauma recovery and self awareness journeys. These are also bite sized lessons and sessions so they’re much easier to fit into any day!

The Healthy Minds Program is an incredible tool for anyone looking to improve their mindfulness and emotional well-being. HealthyMindsProgram offers a well-structured journey that helps you turn inward and increase your awareness through guided meditations, mindfulness practices, and informative sessions on a variety of topics.

I love that it caters to different needs—whether you prefer an active or seated meditation, and the flexibility of choosing practice times ranging from 5 to 30 minutes is perfect for any schedule. Plus, the variety of speakers keeps things fresh and engaging!

Best of all, it’s completely free with no hidden fees, which makes it accessible to everyone. Since using HealthyMindsProgram, I've noticed a significant improvement in my ability to stay present and manage my emotions. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their mental well-being!

As a fairly long term meditator, much of what I’ve seen in HealthyMindsProgram thus far isn’t new to me. With that said, meditation itself doesn’t change dramatically and I always welcome fresh voices for instruction.

But that’s not why I’m writing the review. I often have people ask for guidance and advice with regards to meditation and, given the general busy-ness of life itself, being available for them as often as I’d like isn’t always possible. I’ve wanted an app that guides people in stages, gradually, without inadvertently throwing a newcomer off the meditative deep end. There are so many meditation apps out there and I find them useful because I know what I’m looking for, but as soon as I recommend them to newbies they get lost in the smorgasbord of meditations available. It can be daunting and discouraging. Healthy Minds changes the game.

With what I’ve seen this far, I’m confident this is what I’ve been looking for. That app paces itself in what practices it introduces. It keeps it simple. Newcomers aren’t going to accidentally stumble into a meditation that sounds really cool (like “charnal ground contemplation”) and find themselves in over their heads. I also like the fact that HealthyMindsProgram addresses the multifaceted approach to mindfulness and meditation, being inclusive of what we’d typically term heart practices.

I will proceed through the program for awhile and then begin recommending it to others. Thanks a lot.

I’m deeply grateful to have found Healthy Minds. With every other recommended app out of my budget, I wasn’t sure how I would go about learning to meditate—a practice I knew I needed to begin for my mental, spiritual and physical health. The curriculum is perfectly paced for a beginner, it carries a wonderful balance of instruction and practice, and the teachings are data-backed and fulfilling. I am about halfway through and already plan to start over and include my tween and teens in order to introduce mindfulness to them at an earlier age than I’ve discovered it. Thank you to the developers for putting so much thought, research and heart into HealthyMindsProgram. And thank you for making it accessible.

A note: I wish specific lessons/practices were easier to find after listening the first time. Accessing a catalog of previously listened to sessions would be very helpful in giving myself additional practice and for sharing with others.

I wasn't religious and i had a very pessimistic mindset before discovering Healthy Minds. I used to take every opportunity to intoxicate and suppress a constant rush of thoughts that plagued my mind and focus all day. I discovered Healthy Minds through my therapist, and for the first time in my life i have reconnected with my present mindset and emotions. Healthy Minds even got me thinking about religion and beliefs that i would never have looked at before. I truly can thank HealthyMindsProgram and my therapist for every turnaround i have endured so far, and every complacency that i come across, for giving me the ability to finally accept my own mental state, and acknowledge my own feelings.