We all experience stress and anxiety from time to time, but when your body remains in a stressed state for too long it can lead to a number of mental and physical symptoms—from difficulty sleeping and gastrointestinal upset, to irregular heartbeat and diminished immune function. Finding ways to cope and manage your stress is key—we often hear about the importance of prioritizing your physical health by eating well and exercising, but many of us neglect the importance of self care. With that being said, there are many ways to work self care into your wellness routine, including mobile apps that assist you in forming mindfulness and stress relief habits. We asked psychotherapist Dr. Kathryn Smerling, what her favorite apps are for unwinding and reducing stress.
Calm
If your stress impacts your sleep, this one's for you! “This app has music, different sounds, guided meditation, sleep stories, and more, all very useful for mindfulness and reducing stress. This app is also very good for kids and teens.” Calm is great to use before bed to silent your mind and prepare for rest.
Ten Percent Happier
This app is great if you want to get better at meditation, but are unsure where to start. “Ten Percent Happier is focused on mindfulness and meditation. The story behind Ten Percent Happier, started by Dan Harris, is practical, authentic, and true. There are so many different meditations one can do on the app, and a variety of categories that deal with multiple stressors.” Dr. Smerling says.
Chopra
If you need step by step daily guides for how to meditate or do yoga, this is a great option. “This is a really good app overall for stress relief. I really like the 21-Day meditation program— the app teaches how to meditate in small bites and allows for self-care to be available to all. The app also features yoga meditations.”
Aura
Aura is packed full of resources, including pre-recorded tutorials from health and mindfulness experts—if you want a more personalized program, this could be a good place to start. “This app has tons of stories, songs, personalized meditations, and more. It also features coaches and storytellers from all kinds of disciplines to help guide you, from psychologists to mindfulness instructors, hypnotists, music therapists, and more.”
These are all great supports for any self care routine or ritual, but Dr. Smerling shared some other tips that don’t involve technology. “It is so, so important to get outside and exercise,” she says, “Exercise helps not only the body, but the mind—even something as simple as taking a walk outside and in nature can be greatly beneficial.” You could even listen to a guided meditation while going on a walk to maximize your benefit. Finding balance in your life is crucial—be patient with yourself, and remember that taking time to slow down and relax is just as important as eating healthy and exercising.
