Everyone experiences stress to some level, especially in the workplace.
Sometimes stress is tolerable, sometimes it is intense, and sometimes it is downright debilitating.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the body can become adversely affected if stress symptoms are left unmanaged. These symptoms can affect one’s thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It can even lead to serious repercussions.
In the 21st century, we can combat stress the same way we approach other issues - with technology.
The are many apps that are designed specifically to help us manage stress. However, it is important to keep in mind that these apps should not take the place of medical advice. Their primary function is education. It is important to consult your healthcare professional before making any important decisions based on the information derived from these apps.
Pacifica — Available for iOS | Android — Free
This app is fairly low-maintenance and helps you address your stress at a gradual pace.
It is based on a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation/wellness techniques.
The app helps you track your daily activities in writing or via an audio recording. It then uses the information to help you understand which activities are causing you stress or anxiety.
Once you identify these sources, you can take action to break the cycle. It also allows you to set goals and emotional homework.
Happify — Available for iOS — Free
This app uses positive-thinking activities to help you improve your mood.
Their scientifically-based philosophy is that everyone has a genetic set point for happiness — but we have the ability to offset it.
That essentially means that even though we might not realize it, we have a great deal of control over our happiness.
With that in mind, those who engage in actions that promote happiness and other positive emotional qualities will eventually develop those actions as habits, and ultimately become happier.
GPS for the Soul — Available for iOS — Free
This app was created by emotional well-being advocates Arianna Huffington and Deepak Chopra.
The app is designed to help you manage your stress by connecting you with “guides.”
The guides are fairly simple actions such as looking at pictures of nature or engaging in breathing exercises, meditation or yoga. If you don’t want to use one of the prescribed guides, you can create your own by uploading photos or adding music or quotes.
Once you launch the guide, the app will use a breathing pacer to measure your breaths. There is also a feed that allows you to see your friends’ progress and what strategies are helping them.
Self-Help Anxiety Management (SAM) — Available for iOS | Android — Free
The expert team that created this app consists of university psychologists, computer scientists and student users.
The app can help you figure out what the causes of your stress are and also suggests ways to combat them.
It provides a good amount of valuable external information ranging from anxiety to relaxation techniques. It also provides guidance on how to put the techniques to work.
You will be able to graph your anxiety so you can self-monitor your progress.
Acupressure: Heal Yourself — Available for iOS | Android — $1.99
This app helps you practice the ancient art of acupressure on yourself.
It helps you locate the proper pressure points to alleviate the pressure that is caused by stress. There are both physical and mental benefits to this practice.
Breathe to Relax — Available for iOS | Android — Free
This app is based on the proven fact that focusing on and controlling your breathing can help to calm you down, relax you, and reduce your stress.
It was originally developed for the purpose of helping soldiers and their families. However, the same techniques work for everyone.
It also provides excellent information about depression, anxiety and stress as well as other related topics.
Headspace — Available for iOS | Android — 10 free 10-minute sessions. Upgrade needed after that
This is one of the best available apps for guided meditation.
The sessions will teach you how to block out distractions and meditate effectively.
This app is especially helpful for beginners. The free version includes a starter course, and the subscriptions give you access to longer sessions and sessions for more specific purposes such as reducing stress.
Gratitude Journal — Available for iOS (Android alternative: Attitudes for Gratitude) — $1.99
Many studies have proven that keeping a gratitude journal results in higher alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness, and energy.
This app guides you through the journal-keeping process and prompts you to record the highlights of your day. You can even take pictures of objects for which you are grateful.
The Worry Box — Available for Android (iOS alternative is Worry Watch) — Free
This app provides you with a virtual “box” in which you can put all of your worries and stressors.
Then, you can think them through and learn how to manage them.
If the worry is not controllable, you can choose from a list of coping statements to help you look at it from a different angle.
If you are looking for a way to relieve some of your stress, then try out one of these apps to get you going in the right direction.