Article: Mindful Apps for Self-Care and Winding Down

Working independently means we get to work from wherever is comfortable for us — it can be our home, a small cafe in the neighborhood, or just anywhere around the globe. This freedom is incredible for the most part, but sometimes it also means that it could be challenging to set boundaries between work and personal life, especially when dealing with a busy schedule.

So here I want to recommend three apps that I use daily for self-care and winding down. I intentionally picked ones that have both helpful content and beautiful UI that are delightful to look at. These apps helped me a lot towards a more tranquil life, and I hope you find them helpful as well 💛🧘🏻‍♀️

🕗: In the morning before I start working & during the day when I need a little destress

If I can only pick one app to use for my mindfulness practices, I would undoubtedly choose Headspace. Headspace includes an extensive library of guided meditation that can help you through the day. The instructions are easy to follow as a beginner, and the app provides a wide range of contents that can help you destress, stay focused, and sleep better. As you get more experienced with meditation, they also offer courses that span multiple days on topics such as finding acceptance, gaining clarity in mind, etc. Plus, the animations in the app are so cheerful, friendly, and encouraging!

🕖: first thing waking up & the last thing before bed.

Routines is a simple app that lets you build a morning & night routine in a checklist format. Once you've checked off your routines, the app would also give you a quick questionnaire for you to record your mood. Maintaining a healthy routine can be especially helpful in times of chaos, uncertainty, and unpredictability. It gives us a sense of control over our life. I love to start my day by checking off my morning routines as it gives me a confidence boost and tells me that I'm capable of accomplishing things!

The Importance of Maintaining Structure and Routine During Stressful Times is an excellent article about why maintaining a routine is beneficial to our mental health.

🕘: In the morning, at night, and occasionally during the day.

Stoic is a mental health training and tracking app that helps you reflect inward and set little goals for each day. It is similar to journaling–but in a much quicker and guided way. In addition to the morning & nighttime reflections, the app also includes helpful exercises such as meditation, breathing, mindful walking, visualization, and journaling to help incorporate more mindfulness in daily life. I use it to help triage my life and focus on what's important. It also helps me focus on my accomplishments each day and room for improvement.