Understanding how to take care of your mental health can feel overwhelming, especially when life, work, and family demands all compete for your attention. The good news is that small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference.

A recent analysis by The Cigna Group found that people with anxiety who have used a mental health app in the past three months have stronger vitality, feel more in control of their health, and are happier and more motivated at work. In fact, 73% feel mental health apps have made a positive impact on their mental health and 72% said apps make it easier to manage mental health.¹

The Headspace app is designed to help make mental well-being more approachable and easier to fit into everyday life – and it is available to millions of eligible Cigna Healthcare customers. With guided tools for stress, sleep, focus, and emotional resilience, Headspace gives you practical ways to care for your mind whether you have two minutes or twenty.

Below are 10 ways you can use the Headspace app to support your mental health and build healthier routines at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

1. Start (or restart) a meditation practice

Headspace offers guided meditations for beginners and experienced users alike, with sessions that range from just a few minutes to longer practices. These meditations help build core skills like awareness, breathing, and emotional regulation without feeling intimidating or time consuming.

2. Manage everyday stress

From work deadlines to family responsibilities, stress shows up in many forms. Headspace includes meditations, breathing exercises, and short “mental resets” designed to help you pause, reset, and respond more calmly to everyday pressures.

For Cigna Healthcare customers, Headspace also offers clinically validated guided programs such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety and depression, as well as programs to help you manage stress. These more structured experiences are designed to help people build practical skills they can use in everyday life.

Cigna Healthcare customers also get exclusive access to Ebb, the “empathetic AI companion” chat feature within Headspace. Ebb asks thoughtful questions and then points users towards resources within the app that are relevant to their specific needs. Ebb can also direct users to a crisis line if needed.

3. Get better sleep

Sleep challenges are common and many people use Headspace as a sleep support tool. The app features bedtime meditations, calming soundscapes, and “sleepcasts” designed to help quiet the mind and make it easier to fall – and stay – asleep.

Cigna Healthcare customers also have access to a clinically validated guided program designed to help people build healthier sleep habits and improve rest over time.

4. Improve focus and productivity

When distractions pile up, Headspace offers tools to help you refocus. Focus music, short mindfulness exercises, and quick breathing sessions can help you feel more present and productive, whether you’re working from home or managing a busy schedule.

5. Build healthier emotional habits

Headspace includes content focused on managing emotions like anxiety, anger, grief, and change. These guided sessions help users develop healthier ways to process feelings and navigate difficult moments with more clarity and self‑compassion.

6. Take quick mental breaks during the day

Not every moment calls for a full meditation session. Headspace offers short, on‑the‑go exercises, with some just a few minutes long. They can help you reset between meetings, after a stressful interaction, or whenever you need a mental pause.

7. Support your physical well-being through mindful movement

Mental and physical health are deeply connected. Headspace includes guided movement content such as light stretching, yoga, and mindful workouts that encourage a stronger mind-body connection without requiring intense exercise or special equipment.

8. Create routines that stick

Consistency matters more than perfection. Headspace helps users build sustainable habits through reminders, progress tracking, and flexible session lengths, making it easier to fit mental wellness into real life, not just ideal schedules.

9. Get support tailored to how you’re feeling

Headspace offers personalized recommendations and tools that adjust based on your mood, goals, and preferences. This helps users find content that’s relevant to what they’re experiencing in the moment.
 

Headspace also offers a wide range of programs and experiences tailored to specific health conditions, life experiences, and everyday challenges, providing mental health support that can meet people where they are – whether they are coping with cancer, looking for tips on mindful eating, or are seeking women's health-focused content.

10. Use it anytime, anywhere

Headspace is available on mobile devices and supports on‑demand access, so help is always within reach, whether you’re starting your day, winding down at night, or navigating a tough moment in between.

11. Bonus for Cigna Healthcare customers

If you are a Cigna Healthcare customer who is eligible for Headspace through your employer-sponsored health plan, you get exclusive content, starting with neurodiversity support and resources. Additionally, Cigna Healthcare customers who show signs of more serious concerns get a seamless connection into myCigna, where they can seek care with a licensed network provider.