Apps for Mental Health!
While there are some inherent downsides to technology use (if you follow this blog you’ve heard my tirade!) there are some great apps which make it’s use more than justified!
Over the last 5 years there has been a big increase in apps designed to promote mental health. In case you haven’t kept up- here are some recommendations for you.
What’s Up?
Not to be confused with Whatsapp- that beep constantly happening in your pocket while your family organise who-is-bringing-what to Christmas lunch- What’s Up is a mental health app that uses CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) principles that act as a companion to therapy or a standalone tool. The content includes information about mental health conditions, coping strategies, and a section to record your progress. It boasts 4.5 stars on the app store, and best of all- it’s free!
CBT Thought Diary
For the person facing negative thoughts who never has a pen or paper (all of us- right?!) this diary is for you. CBT works on the premise that negative thinking leads to a cascade of emotional, behavioural and physiological consequences. Gaining awareness of your thoughts allows you to assess them objectively- and change them where necessary. This app has a 4.6 star rating and is also free.
Mind Shift
A great tool for those battling anxiety- Mind Shift helps to challenge avoidance and overcome your fears. It prompts you with a series of coping tools to use in stressful situations. It helps you to change your thinking about anxiety. You can track your progress and get rewarded for your efforts! Who doesn’t love a little positive reinforcement? It is also free on the app store and has 4.5 stars.
Happify
Happify does things a little differently. Through games and activities this app teaches you to reduce stress and build resilience. It emphasises skills to ‘savour’ the good, give gratitude, aspire, be optimistic, and show empathy to yourself and others. Once again- a very solid freebie with 4.5 stars.
Moodpath
Moodpath works to keep track of your emotional wellbeing. It asks you a series of questions to establish an overview of your mental health week to week. This is very helpful for those who struggle to differentiate good days from bad (when you have a bad day it’s hard to remember that yesterday was okay!). Although it is not reliably ‘diagnostic’, it is quite accurate as a self-help tool to assess your current mental state. You can then ‘track and reflect’ or ‘improve’ using CBT skills, sleep strategies, mindfulness and self-compassion. Free at 4.5 stars.
Headspace
We’ve spoken about mindfulness and it’s benefits on this blog before- and Headspace make it very user friendly. Designed for newbies and experts alike, it has programs for all age groups, life problems and settings. You can listen on your daily commute, before an exam, or as a part of your wake-up routine. This app has a lottttt of great reviews (over 70k!) and 4.8 stars. It is free with in-app purchases- but the free content as a standalone is excellent.
Calm
More so for the true mindfulness converts this aesthetically beautiful and functional app makes mindfulness a real treat. The mindfulness section offers guided meditations for a broad variety of topics (self-compassion, forgiveness, relationships, as well as the standard depression and anxiety focused exercises.) The soundscapes for sleep are luxurious, and the sleep stories make your bedtime routine something to look forward to- if having Matthew McConaughey send you off to slumber sounds enticing! Calm has 4.7 stars over 45k ratings. It has a limited free version and premium is a steep upgrade at around AUD $90! If you are committed to your mindfulness and want to make this a real special part of your day- Calm is for you.
So check them out- use your phone for something more productive than Candy Crush, and watch your mood improve!