Even during an otherwise “normal” year, there’s no shortage of stress factors that keep us up at night with worry. Thankfully there are an equal number of things we can do to combat all the assorted stress in our lives: quality time with loved ones, nonnegotiable self-care rituals, physical exercise, therapy, meditation and breathing exercises, etc.
And—thank you, technology—smartphone apps can help you work to work those solutions into your lifestyle. Read on for our brief review of these 15 high-rated apps, all available on Apple’s App Store and for Android phones on Google Play. Some have free trials, too, so you can try it out first and decide if a subscription is right for your needs.
Do you have other apps that help you manage stress and anxiety? Tell us about it at editorial@dfwchild.com.
1. Headspace
With over 60 million users, this app has set itself apart as one of the top contenders in the stress and anxiety mitigation category. The app offers hundreds of articles, mini meditations, workouts, and sleep content. Use the free trial to try it out, and subscribe for $12.99 per month or $69.99 per year.
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2. Sanvello
This app includes on-demand help for stress, anxiety and depression. Use the meditation prompts or guided journeys as a “self-care tool kit.” Premium access starts at $3.99 per month or $29.99 annually.
3. Serenita
This app is designed to be used five minutes each day to help lower your stress and potentially reverse its effects—such as weight gain, poor sleep, anxiety, mild depression, poor focus and low energy. The app includes a stress level monitor with personalized exercises and real-time feedback. $12.99 subscription per month or $79.99 annually.
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4. Personal Zen
This app operates like a game, where you work to focus on the happy and good instead of the negative. Learn more about the science behind the app here. Take the 30-day free trial; $2.99 for a subscription. Premium for $4.99 per month.
5. Calm
Many know Calm as a useful sleep app, but it also offers much more. Download Calm and receive meditation prompts, music that helps with focusing, relaxing or sleep, video lessons that help with mindful movement and stretching, mindfulness audio programs and nature scenes and sounds. A free seven-day trial is available. Their website has load of free resources, like daily gratitude journals, that you can download or print at home.
6. The Mindfulness App
This app starts you off with a five-day guided introduction to meditation. Then take part in the 250-plus timed sessions (choose between guided or silent) that last between 3 and 30 minutes. Reminders and stats help you stay focused. Select meditations are 99 cents each; $9.99 for 1 month premium subscription; $59.99 for full year.
7. Happify
Happify uses games and activities that can be used anytime and take just small bits of time to make a big difference. The ultimate goal is to break old habits and form new ones that lead to more positivity and the release of stress. Subscriptions from $9.99.
8. Rootd
Female-led app Rootd specifically helps with panic attack relief. The app focuses on both immediate relief and long-term relief with its guided process. Among several neat features (such as deep breathing practice, guided body visualization scans and more) the app allows you to enter an emergency contact you can call immediately that connects you to a nearby help center or a friend or family member when you need to hear a friendly voice. $6.99 per month, $34.99 for 6 months, or $59.99 per year.
9. Colorfy
Ever grabbed one of those adult coloring books to de-stress? Now you can color on your phone or tablet with this app developed by Wildlife Studios. Find the apps in the App Store and Google Play. Free trial period; in-app purchases and subscriptions start at $2.99.
10. Dare
The app includes free audio guides to combat daily anxiety, panic attacks, restless sleep and more by addressing every day anxious situations. Some of the situations include driving, flying, eating out, intrusive thoughts, public thoughts, going to the gym, dealing with the holidays and many more. Subscriptions from $9.99, or get the app for free when you buy the book version available on Amazon.
11. ReachOut Breathe2Relax
This app, recommended by the U.S. military’s Defense Health Agency, specifically focuses on reducing the physical symptoms of stress and anxiety. It does this by working to slow down your breathing and heart rate with visuals. Sync it to your Apple Watch to measure your heart rate during breath exercises. Free.
12. MindShift CBT
This Canadian app uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to aid in relaxation and relief from stress, perfectionism, social anxiety and phobias. Tools include coping cards, a thought journal, belief experiments and more for zero subscription costs.
13. MoodMission
MoodMission works based on the mood you’re currently feeling. After telling the app what mood you’re in, the app will give you a list of five simple yet effective “missions” that will help improve your mood. Completing missions earns your rewards to keep the motivation going. $7.99.
14. Stop, Breathe & Think
Designed for adults and teens, the MyLife Meditation app operates on the premise that when we find peace of mind, the world can become a better place. The app provides various tools and activities that aim to develop emotional strength to tackle stress and anxiety. The kids’ version called Stop, Breathe & Think Kids) is designed for ages 5 to 10 to learn the “superpowers” of sleep, being clam and resolving conflicts. Timeframes for free trials vary; $9.99 for monthly membership.
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15. 7 Cups of Tea
7 Cups works completely differently than any of the above apps. Instead of working with different activities, this app connects you with a listener (either the first available or a specific listener). All 7 Cups listeners have completed its Active Listening training program created by a licensed psychologist to give them advanced skills in compassionate communication. Chat rooms and listeners are available 24/7. You can also use 7 Cups for online therapy with a licensed therapist for $150 per month.
This article was originally published in April 2020.
Image: iStock
