As a busy professional in a business that requires excellent interpersonal skills, it is important for you to take a moment every now and then to catch your breath both mentally and emotionally. Fortunately, there are apps to help.
There are many mental health mobile apps, but some popular ones are geared toward mindfulness and meditation. These can help you relax and focus on personal priorities, get some relief from stress and anxiety, manage anger or improve your mood.
We’ve put together a list of apps that can help you take a moment to reset while you’re on-the-go. (Please note that most apps require subscription or service fees.)
Meditation/mindfulness apps
Headspace is consistently rated highly for its sheer variety of meditation offerings. It is good for beginners, as well as those who have been practicing for a while. Sessions are organized by themes, such as self-esteem, anxiety or grief, and advance as you grow in your practice. Users love the options that make this easy and reliable to use.
The Calm app offers guided meditation with customizable timers and options for music and ambient sounds, which may appeal to those who have an established meditation practice. The app also offers trackers to let you keep stats on the number and length of your sessions, as well as your moods.
Healthy Minds Program is a free, science-backed program from the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison that not only helps you with meditation and mindfulness but provides podcast-style information on how and why these practices work. First-time users complete a survey on its four concentration areas—awareness, connection, insight and purpose—then the app tracks how you improve on each over time.
Teletherapy
For those who prefer a talk therapy approach to problem-solving, a number of app- and web-based services have arisen, thanks mainly to the need for safe sessions during pandemic lockdowns. Investigate several to find your preferred interaction format, such as videoconference, live chat or messaging. Check with your insurer about coverage for session fees and be sure to note which platforms allow you to cancel the service at any time.
Amwell and BetterHelp provide access to licensed therapists who help with a wide range of personal challenges. Brightside also offers medication management, if needed.
Specific issues
You can also find online resources for help with specific issues. Some examples include:
- Monument for alcohol use treatment
- Pride Counseling for LGBTQ+ therapy
- ReGain for online couples’ therapy
Photo: iStock.com/Ildar Abulkhanov
