Smartphones have a reputation for zapping our mental health, and while this
might be the case when it comes to social media and comparison culture,
there are some apps that can actually make you feel happier.
Whether your worries about the future are spiralling out of control or the
new Covid restrictions have simply led to burnout, your smartphone can be a
vital tool in getting you closer to your best. Think of it like a therapist
you might otherwise not be able to afford.
Here are a handful of clever digital tools to help you find more joy this
winter.
1. <https://www.happify.com/> Happify
Developed by a team of scientists who have been studying positive psychology
and CBT for decades, this mood-boosting app uses evidence-based daily
activities and games to help gently lift your spirits.
A free version of the app comes with 13 free meditation tracks that explore
how to better cope with stress, calm anxiety, conquer negative thoughts,
defeat loneliness and improve relationships and friendships. There's also a
news feed with uplifting stories and an active online community to share
your worries with, too.
2. <https://www.headspace.com/> Headspace
Stress and anxiety can quickly make us feel under the weather and studies
have found that meditation can be a useful tool in combatting the problem.
If you have no idea where to start with the ancient Buddhist practice, apps
can be really helpful, and Headspace is a great tool to have on-hand for
moments where you need to slow down.
It contains short, emergency meditations for pacifying panic, anxiety, or
stress, and longer guided meditation courses that address happiness, as well
as motivation and work stress longer term. There are also lots of handy
meditations for children too.
3. <https://www.stopbreathethink.com/meditations/> Stop, Breathe and
Think
Stop, Breathe and Think is a handy app that nudges you to check in with your
breath during moments of stress and anxiety throughout the day, helping you
stop worries about future events from snowballing.
Each time you check in with the app, you'll be asked to rate your mood, so
it can suggest a menu of helpful mindfulness exercises for your day. As you
continue recording your emotions with each visit, it tracks your mood over
time, helping you identify patterns in your behaviour.
4. <https://www.superbetter.com/> SuperBetter
Being happy isn't just random luck of the drawer; the creators of
SuperBetter say it's a skill that all of us can harness and improve, no
matter our economic situation.
Once you sign up, the app will gameify getting you towards your happiness
goal. You can level up, get power ups, go on quests, make allies and fight
'bad guys' to play your way to a more positive mindset. As you progress,
you'll earn points in different categories, like mental, emotional, social
and physical resilience.
5. <https://portal.app/> Portal
If the sound of ocean waves gently lapping at a shore takes you to your
happy place, Portal is the app for you. This beautifully designed piece of
tech is like a hug in an app, and transports users all around the world,
sharing some of the most soothing sounds and visuals from nature.
You could take your mid-morning coffee break with the sound of the rain in
the Julian Alps or chill out in the bath alongside the crackle of a log
fire. Either way, it definitely beats overhearing your partner on another
work Zoom call.
6. <https://www.calm.com/> Calm
Between changing restrictions, the weather getting colder and the usual
stresses coming back somewhat, there's no doubt many people are having a
hard time nodding off. So there couldn't be a better time for Cillian Murphy
to step in to lull you to sleep.
The Calm app has recently become famous for its celebrity "sleep stories"
including Crossing Ireland by Train, written by Phoebe Smith and narrated by
Cillian Murphy.
===========================================================
The fb-exchange mailing list
Manage account,
List Page: https://www.freelists.org/list/fb-exchange
Subscribe: mailto:fb-exchange-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=subscribe
Unsubscribe: mailto:fb-exchange-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?Subject=unsubscribe
Archive: https://www.freelists.org/archive/fb-exchange
Administrative contact: insight@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
===========================================================
