NEED SOME RELIEF FROM STRESSFUL SITUATIONS? THESE 6 APPS WILL WORK WONDERS FOR YOUR MIND, BODY AND SOUL.
Mindfulness is about being fully awake in our lives. It is about perceiving the exquisite vividness of each moment. We also gain immediate access to our own powerful inner resources for insight, transformation, and healing. – Jon Kabat-Zinn
In this fast-paced and tech-savvy world, it is easy to get overwhelmed and overstimulated. But the practice of self-care can recharge our body, mind and spirit. And when technology is such an essential part of our daily lives, why not incorporate it into self-care as well? The following apps aim to help you stay centred, calm and mindful throughout the day. Did we mention that their basic versions are completely free?
START YOUR DAY BY FOCUSING ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS
When your goal is to retrain your mind, body and spirit to be more focused, it is important to start your day in a way that reflects this. Beginning the day with meditation, whether it is a 30-minute guided one or simply five minutes of conscious breathing, can have positive effects on your day.
The Mindfulness App has a brilliant selection of meditations to choose from. The free version comes with both guided and non-guided meditations that last from three to 30 minutes. If you upgrade to the premium service, you will have access to more than 200 meditations. Calm is another comprehensive mindfulness app. If you are looking to hone in on any particular area of your life, this app is a great option. There are well-curated programmes to help you develop gratitude, improve focus, build self-esteem and reduce stress and anxiety.
| The Mindfulness App | Calm | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| User-friendliness | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Content | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Overall rating | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Platform | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
PRACTISE MINDFULNESS THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY
After starting your day on such a great note, continue being mindful throughout the day so you can remain plugged into your emotions, keep your stress in check and be more present. The following apps can also reinforce positive behavioural change.
Stop, Breathe & Think is great when you need to take a break and check in on how you are feeling physically, mentally and emotionally. The app comes with a smart feature that allows you to literally stop, breathe and think about your well-being. After you enter information on how you are feeling, you will be prescribed a meditation that is meant to bring you back to a state of wholeness. If you have a few minutes to spare during the day, Headspace is another app that offers short exercises and meditations (one-minute duration or longer) that you can do almost anywhere – your lunch or coffee breaks would be the perfect time for them.
| Stop, Breathe & Think | Headspace | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| User-friendliness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Content | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Overall rating | 4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Platform | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
END YOUR DAY WITH GRATITUDE AND GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST
It is always a good idea to end your day in reflection and take stock of the things you are grateful for. Gratitude 365 is an easy-to-use app that helps you keep track of what you are grateful for each day. This digital journal allows you to type in text and save a photo on your gratitude calendar for you to reflect on later. When you are finally ready to hit the sack, wind down with Relax Melodies. It allows you to combine meditations with your own soothing track of music and comforting sounds. Pick from instruments such as flutes, pianos and wind chimes, as well as sounds of nature such as storms, slow waves and flowing rivers. There are also some unusual city sounds for the urbanite, such as an oscillating fan and a crowd.
| Gratitude 365 | Relax Melodies | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| User-friendliness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Content | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Overall rating | 4.6/5 | 4/5 |
| Platform | iOS | iOS and Android |
Even though technology can be quite overwhelming at times, these great apps can calm frazzled nerves – and they are just a click away. For more inspiration on ways to lead a happier and more empowered life, visit Etiqa.
Group