Top 3 Mental Health Apps I Use Every Day

​|Technology is part of our every day life and, if used moderately, can actually be useful at streamlining work processes, connect us with others in meaningful and immediate ways, and can also help us to learn and grow as individuals. There are so many things to do on our devices, it can be difficult to find the most useful program or application, especially when it comes to improving our mental health and wellness.

​As a mental health blogger and online therapist, it's safe to say I spend a lot of time in front of my smartphone and computer. To ensure that I strive towards creating a work-life balance, I have found several apps that help me to relax that I use on a daily basis. In this blog post, I outline three of my top app picks that are grounded in evidence-based research to help you on your own well-being journey.

​​I have also found that I can develop eye strain and wrist pain when I am overdoing it with technology. Before reading my recommendations, I encourage you to pause for a moment and take note of your own physical and mental well-being as you're reading this blog post. 

Are your shoulders tense?

Do you feel pain or discomfort anywhere in your body?
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Is your mind flooded with information, making it difficult to process these words?

If so, I encourage you to spend at least 5 minutes 'unplugged' and away from your devices.. find a comfortable spot and relax. This blog post will be here when you get back, I promise!

Okay, feeling more relaxed? Great. :) Let's check out my recommendations! 

1. Happify
This app is filled with tools and practical strategies aimed at helping you reduce stress, feel more relaxed, and gain a more positive perspective of life. I especially like the fact that this app is built around evidence-based interventions from positive psychology, mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy.

There is both a free and paid app - some of the free exercises include:

• guided relaxation and meditation (audio tracks with calming photo)
• games that help you focus on positive word references to help lift your mood
• 3 mindfulness meditations focusing on giving you clarity in the moment
• information about the science of happiness including infographics

Pros:

• easy to use app with a colourful design
• science backed strategies that only take minutes to do
• connect with a community to strengthen supports

Cons:

• must pay to unlock many of the features

Want to try it for yourself? Download here.

​2. Headspace
This app focuses on bringing meditation practice into the every day life. It can be intimidating to think about starting to meditate.. where do you even begin? Headspace takes the guess work out of learning to meditate by providing a 10-minute per day program for users to work through.

10 free meditations to start focus on:

• basics of meditation
• breathing techniques
• body awareness
• bringing awareness to the present moment
• provides useful information about how meditation can help the mind/body throughout the exercise

Pros:

• very simple design (simply press play)
• track progress through the app
• share progress with others who also practice meditation

Cons:

• Must pay for sessions after the first 10-session meditation program.

Want to try it for yourself? Download here.

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3. Gratitude Journal
This app is a daily journal that prompts you to record your thoughts through a lens of gratitude. Each days prompts or exercise is built around a psychological framework that builds mindfulness and positive vibes to your daily life.

Daily prompts include:

• calming photos 
• exercises that focus on positive events or learning experiences
• ability to honour people, places, events
• reframe difficult experiences into positive lessons
• framework built on concepts of positive psychology 

Pros:

• beautiful and calming design
• easy to use interface
• interactive way to promote healthy daily routine for your mental well-being
• useful for finding meaning in your daily life, creating positive self-talk

Cons:

• none that I can think of

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Want to try it for yourself? Download here.

Looking for even more apps that can help improve your mental health? Check out the Anxiety and Depression Association of America's selection by clicking here.

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What apps are you using that help improve your own mental health and well-being? Share a link with us in the comments section below.

More Resources

• ​Self-Care Strategies​​
• 10 Health Benefits of Yoga
• 7 Invaluable Self-Care Blog Posts

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