20 Apps to Improve Your Well-Being

Source: Synthetic Vibrations

You can’t deny it: technology has become the centre of the world. We are never too long an eye’s glance away from our phones (I’m definitely guilty of this).

As somebody who relies on her phone for pretty much everything, struggles with mild anxiety, and is very big on physical and mental health/well-being, I’ve recently downloaded a bunch of apps on my phone to help me with these areas – it’s pretty much a stock-filled toolkit.

The following apps I will be sharing with you are some that I have tested out, or am currently using as a way to better myself… minus a few (because I don’t have enough memory on my phone for everything). Of course, these are just resources and are not to replace – though they are often used in conjunct with – any kind of therapy or treatment in serious situations – please consult a professional should you feel the need to.

I’ve divided this post up into several categories: anxiety, general health & fitness, general well-being, meditation/mindfulness, productivity, and relaxing games.

Let me know what you think!

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Anxiety

1. MindShift

Source: http://mission.fetchbc.ca/assets/mindshift.jpg

MindShift can help people cope with anxiety by changing the way one thinks about it. The app helps people learn how to relax in the midst of anxious thoughts, develop more helpful and effective ways of thinking, and identify active steps to help one take charge of the anxiety. Also included are some meditational/mindfulness tools to chill out.

My favourite feature: it offers help with different situations (e.g. Riding Out Intense Emotions) and guides you through a specific plan to cope better with the selected situation.

2. Pacifica (also available as web app)

Source: http://media.gizmodo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Untitled37.png

Based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), relaxation, and wellness, Pacifica offers tools to address and manage everyday stress and anxiety, as well as fearful thoughts. Some features include: Daily Mood Tracker, Relaxation and Mindfulness Tracks, Health Tracker, Community Support.

My favourite feature: thought analysis (much like a thought record).

3. Self-Help Anxiety Management

Source: http://www.citsa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/2015/02/sam-1024×512.png

Developed by a university team of psychologists, computer scientists, and student users, SAM offers a variety of self-help methods to manage anxiety. Some features include:

- Self-monitoring of anxiety levels

- Tools to help relieve feelings of anxiety in the moment

- 25 self-help tools covering: Information about anxiety, Thinking and anxiety, Physical and mental relaxation, Health and anxiety

- Guidance in taking action to overcome anxiety

My favourite feature: a way to identify and write out my anxious thoughts in “Things that make me anxious."

4. What’s Up?

Source: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/whats-up-a-mental-health-app/id968251160?mt=8

What’s Up? utilizes a mix of CBT and Acceptance Commitment Therapy methods to help people cope with depression, anxiety, anger, stress, and more. Some features include:

- Information on the above topics, and helpful websites according to your country

- Simple strategies to keep calm in the moment (e.g. grounding game, breathing control, catastrophe scale)

- Uplifting quotes and affirmations, with the ability to add your own

- A comprehensive diary to record thoughts and feelings

My favourite feature: tbh, the entire “Coping Strategies” tab.

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General Health & Fitness

5. MyFitnessPal

Source: http://www.mactrast.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/myfitnesspal_screenshots.jpg

MyFitnessPal is one of the best and most popular health and fitness apps out there. With the largest food database (over 6mil foods), the calorie counter will help people manage their weight, diet, and overall health.

My favourite feature: finding specific foods using the barcode scanner – it beeps too!

6. Sleep as Android (for Android; similar for iOS: Sleep Cycle alarm clock)

Source: http://fieldguide.gizmodo.com/12-devices-and-apps-to-quantify-your-sleep-1782633754

Admit it, we’re all sleep-deprived. Sleep as Android is a smart alarm clock (wakes you up in the optimal moment) with sleep cycle tracking. Fall asleep to the gentle sounds of nature; never oversleep with CAPTCHA wake up verification; listen to your sleep-talking (or snoring); and more!

My favourite feature: bathroom QR code CAPTCHA – makes you actually get out of bed and walk to another room.

7. 7 Minute Workout (for Android; similar for iOS: 7 Minute Workout)

Source: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/74c8cK-8m6lSXIDY0GEidbbY6FfbNWMR60ZJduktJPun3wseJbTQGK20JVozq1KKhc7D=h900

“Maximum results with minimal investment.” These 7 Minute Workouts are based on high intensity circuit training (HICT), which is proven to be the “safest, most effective, and most efficient” way to improve your fitness. It only takes 7 minutes of your time (realistically, more like 8-9minutes though). Each workout consists of 12 exercises that are done for 30 seconds, with 10 second breaks in between each – the time can be customizable, don’t worry. Bonus: try the 30 day challenge, available in 3 different levels.

My favourite feature: the ab- and butt-toning workouts – I use them quite frequently at the gym or at home.

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General Well-Being

8. Happify (also available as web app)

Source: http://medcitynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Happify-devices-e1478022741694.jpg

Happify uses techniques developed from interventions in the fields of positive psychology, mindfulness, and CBT as a way to reduce stress, overcome negative thoughts, build greater resilience, and ultimately to live a happier life. Sample tracks include: conquering negative thoughts, coping better with stress, and building self-confidence.

My favourite feature: the track activities – recently, I really enjoyed the “Mini Mind Vacation.”

9. me.time

Source: http://a2.mzstatic.com/us/r30/Purple71/v4/85/1d/c0/851dc030-8ab0-3ed1-17c2-cb77609ec55c/screen696x696.jpeg

If your New Year’s resolution is to journal, but you can’t seem to find anything to write about, this is the app for you. me.time is a diary/journal app that helps you learn more about yourself. Daily prompts/questions challenge you to think deeply about your life.

My favourite feature: the simplicity of the entire thing. Also, the anonymity with community posts.

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Meditation/Mindfulness

10. Calm (also available as web app)

Source: http://blog.onemedical.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Calm.jpg

Calm can help you meditate, sleep, relax, and improve your mood and ultimately, your life. Some features include:

- The 7 Days of Calm – free meditation program

- Unguided & guided meditations

- A breathing exercise, complete with relaxing music

- Sleep stories, ranging from fiction to nature essays

My favourite feature: definitely the sleep stories, those are pretty fun!

11. Headspace (also available as web app)

Source: https://images.typed.com/f4c16e9c-7c9d-4e55-afc3-2951bb60ef5e/appstore_screenshots_headpsace.png

Headspace uses proven meditation and mindfulness techniques that train your mind for a healthier, happier, and more enjoyable life. Their free Take10 program starts you off with the basics of meditation for 10 minutes a day.

12. Stop, Breathe & Think (also available as web app)

Source: https://mesardonicmesarcastic.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/stop.jpg

Stop, Breathe & Think is a mindfulness, meditation, and compassion-building app that allows one to relax the body and mind. Guided meditations are available for: self motivation, anxiety and stress, depression, compassion, falling asleep, and more.

My favourite feature: daily self check-in for a recommended meditation.

13. Wildflowers Mindfulness

Source: http://blog.zparkl.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_images/wildflowers-mindfulness.png?t=1477653674425&width=598&height=321&name=wildflowers-mindfulness.png

Blending guided meditation and resilience activities with mood and heart rate tracking, Wildflowers is an immersive and engaging app to help users calm the body and mind. Some features include: heart rate tracking, personalized meditation based on mood, and insights into the relationship between body, mind, and meditation.

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Productivity

14. Fabulous (for Android; similar for iOS: Habitica)

Source: http://www.pocketmeta.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Fabulous-feat-1.png

Increase your energy, get healthy, lose weight, sleep better, and stay motivated with Fabulous, an app designed to instil healthy habits, routines, and happiness in your life.

My favourite feature: designed to make you feel like you are on an adventure/journey to improve yourself (which is true!)

15. Forest: Stay focused (also available as Chrome extension & Firefox add-on)

Source: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KOmNKzw9fisydImm1RygaeOs8EdQSOgPu20PntOUzbpiV3yEHBCu9rRI3nCVd8FJp3MjgIU8igA=s640-h400-e365

Beat your phone and social media addiction and stay motivated and focused with Forest. Plant a seed, and watch it grow into a tree. The catch? It will wither away should you leave the app to visit a “blacklisted” site (e.g. Facebook, YouTube, etc.).

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Relaxing Games

16. Infinity Loop

Source: https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PRX4YFWB-7hC2WhfNaMHwBhdNFcfbhHQvlQ_TxxzuJxAFjmu9jWj_5y3WJCcuOVgLw=h900

A simple, relaxing, endless game with a goal to clear your mind, and remove the stresses from your daily life. All you have to do is connect all the fragments.

My favourite feature: it is what it is – endless, stimulating, calming gameplay. I just love this game!

17. Monument Valley (Android: US$3.99, iOS: US$2.79)

Source: https://s.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/dd54c9bf7b994641dc1841fba4f236d0/203066536/monument-valley-ios-free-2015-12-02-01.jpg

Manipulate impossible architecture and guide a silent princess through a mysteriously stunning world. Filled with optical illusions and minimalist 3D design, Monument Valley is a one-of-a-kind adventure puzzle that will challenge your perception of space.

My favourite feature: the graphics! The illusions!

18. Polyforge

Source: https://madewith.unity.com/sites/default/files/game/image/gallery3_4.jpg

Forge new crystals by striking all the sides with Polyforge, another app with a simple gameplay and a beautiful, colourful, minimalistic interface.

My favourite feature: the colours! And the music/sound effects.

19. Smash Hit

Source: https://lh3.ggpht.com/RpILwPGO6CYdcWtgSeYqEkYmBuPblUYORsPqGi9kLzjAdgPuUHTtuGsJZZDzIVP5ULI=h900

An app that requires focus, concentration, and impeccable timing, you have only 2 goals in Smash Hit: i) to travel as far as you can, and ii) to smash and break everything in your path.

My favourite feature: it just feels great smashing virtual things when you’re not in the best mood (side note: I highly recommend purchasing the upgrade to experience it to the fullest… also saving/checkpoints are VERY helpful)

20. Viridi (also available on Steam)

Source: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54a5ae87e4b00f7c5fac9dfd/t/55ca3e23e4b0de52cfbb6e85/1439317541560/?format=750w

Need a moment of peace during your day? Visit your pot in Viridi, a virtual-reality, real-time growing plant game.

My favourite feature: plants… what else can I say?