Therapy and Mindfulness Apps That Are Actually Good
BY ROXY ALLNUTT
Smelling burnout? Get downloading.
27 APR - 2023
Your future self will thank you.
Mindfulness is the remedy for everything. At least, that's what science hasn't stopped talking about lately. Researchers have shown that being mindful or tuned into the present moment can help people focus at work, reduce anxiety, lessen junk food cravings, and drive people to exercise more. So, yes, mindfulness = magic. But how the hell do you start living your incredible mindful life? That's where therapy and mindfulness apps come in - a new way to prioritise your mental health, all from the convenience of our phones. But with so many options, knowing which ones are even worth the energy can be overwhelming.
I’ve been checking in and out of apps to find my favourite place, and boy, are there some absolute gems out there. Here are some of the best therapy and mindfulness apps that are both fun and effective and will hopefully be your perfect fit.
Headspace
Headspace is one of the most popular mindfulness apps out there, and for good reason. The app offers a wide range of guided meditations and mindfulness exercises, all designed to help you reduce stress, increase focus, and improve your overall well-being. The app is perfect for beginners, as it offers a "basics" course that teaches you the fundamentals of meditation and mindfulness. The animations are super comforting and so different from the screens we are used to seeing on our phones. It feels like a proper escape from the madness. As you progress, you can unlock more advanced courses and exercises. The app also offers personalised progress tracking to see how your mindfulness practice improves over time.
Founder Andy Puddicombe who is a monk-turned-tech-mogul, created the app on the simple notion of creating a platform that creates easy access to meditation. Andy Puddicombe is doing for meditation what Jamie Oliver has done for food - The New York Times
Talkspace
Talkspace is a therapy app that connects you with licensed therapists from the comfort of your own home. The app offers many different therapy options, including one-on-ones, couples, and teen-focused therapy. You can chat with your therapist via text, voice, or video calls. There are options for both live and asynchronous sessions. Talkspace is perfect for those who want therapy benefits but don't have the time or resources to attend in-person sessions. The app is also more affordable than traditional therapy, with plans starting at just $65 per week.
Calm
Calm is a mindfulness app that offers a wide range of guided meditations, sleep stories, and relaxation exercises. The app is perfect for people who struggle with anxiety, as it offers a variety of exercises designed to help you reduce stress and calm your mind. One of my favourite features of Calm is its "Sleep Stories", which offers bedtime stories designed to help you fall asleep. If you’re like me and take hours to fall asleep, I seriously recommend giving this a whirl. If you’re the type of gal who requires consistently to inflict a great habit like mindfulness practice, Calm offers daily exercises that will pop up in your notification centre. It’s quite wholesome having a “Deep breathe for one whole minute” notification pop-up on your phone during your 3 pm work slump period. Watch these small practices make a world of difference in your productivity.
Happify
Happify is a really special app that uses evidence-based techniques to help you build resilience and improve your overall well-being. The app offers a wide range of activities and games designed to help you reduce stress and improve your mood. No more killing time with Subway Surfers when you’ve got these adorable games. Some of the activities include gratitude journaling, mindfulness exercises, and cognitive behavioural therapy exercises. Happify also offers personalised progress tracking so that you can see your well-being progression visually.
Moodfit
Moodfit is a mental health app that offers a wide range of tools and resources to help you manage your mood and improve your overall well-being. The app offers a daily mood tracker and a range of mood-boosting exercises and mindfulness activities. Think period tracker but for your well-being. My favourite Moodfit feature is its "Thought Challenger" tool, which helps you challenge negative thoughts and reframe them in a more positive light – this is a battle I’ve been facing for years. Tuning into myself just once every couple of days has been so nice. After doing this exercise for two weeks, I saw a massive mental shift, and it felt so much more amazing to work through that on my own.
So mindfulness is the way, according to science. It can do wonders for your mental and physical health, and who wouldn't want that? But let's be real, starting a mindfulness practice can be overwhelming as fuck. Lucky for us, therapy and mindfulness apps are here to save the day, and there are some seriously great ones out there. So, if you're ready to start living your best mindful life, check out these apps and get your zen on.
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