If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed, you may be stressed. Don’t worry though, try these leading apps.
As the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) tells us, stress occurs when we have an excessive amount of pressure placed upon us. Whether this pressure builds up from workload, demands from bosses, or even our own pressures that we place upon ourselves, it isn’t healthy and we need to address it.
With the rise of technology, a great way to make sure you are taking time out to de-stress is through apps. At Myles Wellbeing, we have come up with a few different styles of apps with different purposes, so you can target your de-stressing sessions.
Reading is a great way to de-stress as you can escape into fiction and take your mind off whatever thoughts and pressures you are currently facing.
Toby Cannon, CEO and co-founder of Myles Wellbeing recommends the app Blinkist. He states, “The app is excellent for listening to or reading book summaries”. He continued, by adding “I find reading a fantastic way to de-stress, but I don't enjoy concentrating on one task for long periods of time. By using the app, I get all the benefits of reading, but don’t have to use my brain to read after a long day at work."
Reading is also scientifically proven to reduce stress, so apps which promote reading are amazing. Reading captivates one's imagination and by focusing on one single task, you will increase relaxation. In a study conducted by the University of Sussex, individuals who had read for merely six minutes exhibited slower heart rates, less muscle tension, and reduced stress levels.
Ensuring that you get enough sleep is a really beneficial way to reduce stress. If we do not get enough sleep, our mental functioning–including concentration, productivity and alertness– will be negatively affected the next day. This means that you will feel more pressure at work, which can build up and result in stress.
Michael McCreadie, Co-founder and COO of Myles Wellbeing, uses Sleep Cycle. He recommends the app, stating: “It analyses your sleep, tracking deep sleep and snoring, and eventually wakes you up at the most perfect time, making you feel rested in the morning.”
It is recommended that you aim to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Apps such as Sleep Cycle provide your own ‘sleep statistics’, so if you’re not getting enough sleep, you can make healthy habit changes, such as going to bed earlier.
If you still want to engage your brain when you're de-stressing, then why don’t you test out an interactive learning app. Apps such as Duolingo can be a productive way to reduce stress in your mindful moments as you can learn a new language from scratch, or refresh one you had been learning years before.
In particular, Duolingo has short but fun tasks to ensure that you’re learning something new everyday. They also have streaks, so by using Duolingo everyday you will be making sure that you are taking time out each day to de-stress.
Feeling stressed can sometimes be an isolating sensation as you feel all the pressure on yourself, and often don’t want to burden others with how you’re feeling. However, stress is a very common feeling, and, in fact, 7% of UK adults feel stress every day, according to new data.
Journaling can be a great way to de-stress as you can note all your thoughts by typing them out, rather than writing them down. This can then remain private, or by writing them down, you may find it easier to share them with a friend or colleague. A notes app often comes with every phone, so save yourself the hassle of downloading a new app, and try it out!
I’m sure everyone has seen an advert for the Headspace app after waiting for their Youtube video to upload. However, it’s a really useful app to de-stress.
It’s easy to use and has a clear layout, but you also don’t have to pay to get basic tasks which can really help. Through scientific research, their calming activities and brain exercises help you create life-changing habits which will support your mental health.
Impressively, Headspace tells us that it is proven to reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. Their meditation and mindfulness tools help you relax your mind in minutes and improve focus, so why not download it and feel the benefits.
If gaming is more so your thing, there are plenty of apps which can help reduce stress. One app is Tides which is a simple fishing mini-game, offering respite from a pressuring workload or stress.
The app describes itself as “A small game, designed to be a meditative escape with serene visuals, calming music, and simplistic gameplay”. Indeed, the tranquil music accompanied by a mass of visually beautiful fish relaxes any mind and body, offering you a great way to de-stress.
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