Just like physical health, mental health can be maintained by making a few simple changes in your daily life. Whether it’s mindfulness, meditation, talking with friends or family, lighting some candles and reading, or even taking a nap, there are many ways to care for your mental health.
With the rise of technology, many new apps have been created to help with general mental health concerns and specific conditions. Some use methods backed by therapists.
Better Stop Suicide
Better Stop Suicide is a free app that can help you press your own stop button when suicidal thoughts come to mind and buy you time to get the help and support you need. It features calming audio files, quick access to key phone contacts, a gratitude checklist, a life box where you can upload photos reminding you of your reasons for living, and helpful tasks to make yourself feel better.
It’s a free app that comes from the same company that makes another mental health and suicide prevention app called Headspace, so you might want to be wary of how it collects and uses your personal information. Its privacy policy is pretty vague and we found it hard to understand how they plan to use your data.
What’s Up
What’s Up is a free app that uses a number of well known therapy technologies to help you navigate the mental health maze. The app is a good way to tame your anxiety, and has been proven to improve one’s quality of life, and reduce the odds of suicide. The app’s most impressive feat is its ability to provide an online portal that connects you with the right people at the right time. It also makes the task of finding a suitable therapist easier and faster than ever before.
Anxiety Reduction Workbook
The Anxiety Reduction Workbook is a practical guide that can help you to understand your stress triggers and symptoms. It also helps you to develop a personal action plan for stress reduction.
This book is packed with easy-to-use stress management techniques that are proven to be effective, and it has a focus on integrating mindfulness practices into everyday life.
The first chapter of this workbook asks you to identify what life situations cause you stress. Afterward, it asks you to reflect on how your habits are impacting your life and suggest healthier alternatives.
Mood Tracker
Tracking your mood is a great way to help yourself develop habits that improve your overall mental health and wellness. It’s also a good way to identify triggers that may contribute to feelings of stress or anxiety and to understand how to avoid them.
A mood tracker can be an excellent tool for helping you and your therapist identify any patterns that might be related to your symptoms. It can also be used to help your therapist determine whether you are responding well to medications and if you need to make changes in your treatment plan.
There are many apps available that can help you track your mood. The key is finding one that makes sense to you and helps you track your mood consistently.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a mental health practice that involves training your attention on the present moment. It’s easier said than done, but it can help you avoid anxiety and depression.
A mindfulness meditation session can take place at home or in a group setting. Start by sitting or lying down and focus on your breathing. Engage all of your senses (hear, smell, feel, see, and taste).
One benefit of mindfulness is that it helps you notice and accept uncomfortable emotions, such as anger or fear. It also helps you to recognize that thoughts and feelings are just that-thoughts and feelings. Practicing self-compassion is another important aspect of mindfulness.