Mental health, and by extension wellness, have experienced a much-welcome boom in recent years, thanks to innovative advancements on the tech front.
An assortment of apps and websites now offer professional online counseling, life coaching, peer support, and daily exercises to minimize the effects of stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and various other conditions that affect an estimated 44 million American lives.
You don't necessarily have to be grappling with a mental conflict to benefit from some of the aforementioned apps; in fact, many are designed to strengthen and reinforce your day-to-day wellbeing.
Whether you are looking for simple meditation and de-stressing exercises, mindfulness tools, or online therapy apps, the following list contains 11 top-rated apps and sites for those who are seeking a daily mental health boost.
1. BetterHelp
BetterHelp is an affordable online therapy app that allows you to communicate with a professional, certified, state licensed therapist from the comfort and privacy of your home (or anywhere else). BetterHelp offers numerous secure communication modalities for you to talk with your therapist.
Communication modalities include asynchronous messaging (ie instant messaging), back-and-forth email, phone calls and face-to-face video conferencing. All communication with your therapist is encrypted using bank grade 256 bit encryption. All conversions are 100% confidential and you can remain anonymous if you wish (you are not required to give your real name).
BetterHelp is compatible with Mac/Windows desktops/laptops as well as iOS and Android powered smartphones and tablets. BetterHelp is priced at $65 dollars per week. The service is paid month-to-month and you are not locked into any lengthy contracts (you can cancel at anytime through the app).
2. Omvana
Boasting one of the largest collections of online meditation sessions, Omvana allows users to customize their personal experience by choosing from the extensive selection of authors, guides, and teachers, as well notable public speakers and inspirational leaders.
Users can additionally mix and layer their chosen exercises, essentially acting as their own meditative curators. On their website they state: "Omvana's goal is not to get you better at meditation--it's about getting you better at life."
3. Mindfulness
This easy-to-use app is designed for those who just want to take a moment out of their hectic schedules to hit the proverbial reset button. The app's star feature is its daily delivery via your smart device of inspirational tips, teachings, and exercises to encourage mindfulness and inner calm.
This app is especially ideal for those who don't have the time for extensive online programs, or tend towards forgetfulness when it comes to self care.
4. Calm
This subscription-based web platform's mission is to reduce stress, plain and simple. Treating its users to an array of soothing imagery, music, and nature sounds, Calm offers a variety of tools for assisting with meditation, de-stressing, and concentration.
If you're looking for a gentle "assistant" to help with matters of stress, sleep, and mindfulness, Calm's name-appropriate methodology may just be your answer.
5. Joyable
Much like Happify, Joyable seeks to boost users' positivity and self-esteem through an assortment of professionally-tested tactics.
The app is particularly helpful for those who grapple with anxiety, either socially or internal, and its "digital therapy" approach connects users with around-the-clock coaches trained to listen, lend advice, and provide fun and easy exercises for managing the burdens of stress, anxiety, and self doubt.
6. Headspace
Personal trainers don't just exist in the world of physical fitness, but mental health as well. The Headspace app acts as your personal trainer, with the overall goal of de-stressing your mind while promoting mindfulness through meditation.
This streamlined app keeps things simple through 10-minute meditation sessions conducted by co-founder Andy Puddicombe, who understands that not everyone is at the same level of mindfulness mastery--and that that's perfectly ok!
7. Mindful
Not to be confused with the Mindfulness app, Mindful takes a more philosophical approach to mental wellness, inviting users to peruse their impressive library offering both informative and inspirational resources.
Accessing a bi-monthly magazine called Mindful, as well as MindfulDirect videos, users can also read and share their own personal stories and insights with one another, with no judgement or mindful "status" signaling.
8. 7 Cups
For those who aren't looking to commit to an online therapist but would still like to keep their options open, 7 Cups is something of a one-stop platform for wellness.
Featuring professional counselors as well as trained listeners (volunteers who mediate chat rooms as well as work one-on-one), users are free to go at their own pace with the 7 Cups model.
Regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, or lifestyle background, 7 Cups offers group sessions for all users, with an additional ongoing blog to keep you up to date on the latest news, insights, and personal stories.
9. My Possible Self
Sometimes mental wellness is a matter of checking in on a daily basis and monitoring your moods and behavior, as well as their possible underlying sources.
My Possible Self allows users to track their emotions through the app's 'moments' function in order to examine personal patterns and triggers, with self-help "modules" providing tools for overcoming stress, anxiety, or significant life upheavals.
10. Viber
Sometimes you just want a support base of like-minded individuals who can empathize with and support you on your journey.
The Viber app connects you with over 900 million users worldwide, with multiple online communities and groups geared towards everything from motivational encouragement to mental health issues, as well as fitness and nutrition.
11. Happify
As the name would suggest, Happify aims to lift your spirits using the "science of happiness." Worrying is a waste of your intelligence claims Happify, and their science-based games and exercises help users overcome anxiety and everyday stress factors, and ultimately reestablish confidence and optimism.
Designed by leading mental health and science experts, Happify emphasizes the 5 essential skills for achieving lasting joy: thanking, savoring, aspiring, empathizing, and giving back.
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