2 APPS TO COMBAT STRESS & ANXIETY

Hey friends! Today I wanted to try something a little different and talk about some apps. I have been trying to find new and exciting ways to gain control of my anxiety & help relieve stress, all the while being able to do it anywhere at any time.

I find that anxiety and stress comes in waves, and I’m not always in the comfort of my own home to be able to handle the overwhelming feelings in my own solitude. So my goal was to find accessible yet useful tools that would tailor towards being easily used on the go.

And here’s two free apps I have found to work best for me.

01. VIRIDI

I absolutely love this app. It’s a simple yet effective concept that I adore oh so much. It’s great for those who need to take a quick break from reality, need a quick calming fix, or want to listen to some calm tunes. With that being said, if you love succulents you can totally download the app and utilize it just for the fact it has great graphics and you can grow your own garden. 

Here’s what you need to know: 

• You can pick your own plant pot, plants, and name them all
• It tells you when to water them in order to keep them alive
• You can track your succulent’s growth
• There’s a lovely little lazy snail who guards your precious babes (you can name him too)
• There’s lovely calm video-game like music that plays throughout. You can leave the app open as you get work done for soft background music. You can also sing to your plants to give them nurturing love. It’s adorable.
•  The app is free, but there are a ton of plants and pots you can buy for less than a dollar
• If you don’t have luck keeping succulents alive and or have cats that like to eat/dig them up (don’t worry, I’m with you!) this is a must-have to fill that empty void, without the hassle.
• It’s like Tamagotchi, but for succulents. I’m not one to remember to keep things alive or to use an app like this daily. Matter of fact, I’m horrible at these sort of things. But I find myself periodically clicking on the app throughout each day to see my pot’s progress. I never thought I could keep them alive. But here we are!

(Here’s a little progress photo of my plants! Ophelia is on Day 6 of her journey!)

02. HEADSPACE

While I typically reached for Viridi for a quick and easy way to gain control, I don’t want to compare these two apps together and say one is better than the other or more effective. The truth is they are entirely different from each other. Viridi is simple, more game-based, and is generally more straightforward and for enjoyment. Headspace leaves a long-lasting impression on it’s users, teaches them, and gives them tools they need to overcome their moments of anxiety. And for that reason alone, it’s fantastic.

Headspace is designed to help you relax and gain the technique of being more mindful.

The app is designed as a ten-day retreat. Each day you get listen for 10 minutes as you are coached through being more aware of your body, mind, surroundings, and are learning to control your breaths, taking time to get to know yourself, and are going on a self-fulfilling quest.

While this app is a bit more time consuming, ten minutes is still a short amount of time and the app is very effective. At first, it will be difficult to get your mind to slow down and listen to the words being said, but you will get the hang of it.

Also: It’s great if you’re having a tough day at work. Just step away from everyone for a few moments, practice you’re breathing, and maybe take three minutes to listen to the video. I use it at work when I’m having a rough time and it really helps ease my mind!

What are your thoughts on stress/anxiety apps? Have you tried any of these particular ones? Which are you more interested to try? Let me know in the comment section!

And as always, thanks for reading!