On one hand, there is plenty of hue and cry about social media and technology negatively impacting our life. However, there can be positive aspects to their inevitable intrusion in our lives. It is important to understand how to utilise the benefits they offer.
With heightened stress and anxiety due to various causes, everyone is seeking peace-of-mind and contentment.
Even if you don’t have anyone else to guide you in this journey, health apps can help you stick to a proper routine and remind you about your next activity in an organised and streamlined way. It can be compared to having a mini therapist in your pocket all the time.
Before downloading the listed apps that are available in play stores, let us understand what they can provide –
1. Online therapy - Many apps assign real (read, human) therapists who can help you with different kinds of therapies and counselling sessions once you opt for an appointment online. When it's really difficult to squeeze out time to meet an in-person therapist, these apps can help. You can continue with your day-to-day routine and yet be in constant touch with the therapist anytime you feel there is a need.
2. Breath work - Breathing exercises are available on many apps. These exercises help us slow down and regulate our breathing. They also help to calm the mind, ridding it of anxiety, and prepare you for enhanced sleep. Breathing relaxes the muscles of the whole body, making the body and mind feel lighter. Hence, breath work must become part of everyone’s daily regimen. If you look in the app store, you will find several apps that provide breathwork exercises that have been really effective on individuals.
3. Meditation - For centuries now, meditation has been a foolproof remedy for mental disturbances or illnesses. Health experts highly recommend meditation for long-term positive impacts. It helps in slowing down any kind of worry, and focussing on your physical and emotional feelings. Regular practice also lowers stress levels and helps develop stronger control over your emotions, so you can channelise them better. People who meditate regularly have shown signs of being calmer, happier, less distracted and more focused.
4. Journaling - These apps are also ideal for tracking your mood, thoughts and emotions. They help in recognising patterns in our thinking and behaviour that might not be obvious otherwise. When you become conscious of those behaviours and patterns, you start to react differently to stressors.