In our day-to-day lives as teenagers, we are constantly being overwhelmed with news, information, and content. Much of this comes from social media networks and apps like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and TikTok. It’s important to remember that most people only showcase the highest and best parts of their lives on social media. Comparing yourself to social media influencers and personalities, as well as dealing with the stresses of everyday life, can sometimes put you in a difficult mental space. Maintaining a good state of mental wellbeing is a very important part of taking care of yourself, but a lot of people forget about it! The following five apps are some that I have found extremely helpful in managing my feelings and bettering my mental health. All of these apps are free on the Apple App Store.
Reflectly:
This app serves as a personal daily journal. Every day, or as often as you’d like, you can create an entry. The app allows you to select a feeling that describes your day, and then a reason for this feeling. Reflectly also generates two daily questions for extra journaling, but these are optional. I really like the daily motivation feature, which gives you a challenge and a quote for the day. This is great first thing in the morning. Reflectly journals are super quick, and they can be as long or short as you want. Ending my day by journaling really helps me unwind. There are a few options that are only available to paid subscribers, but I feel like my needs are met with the free option.
Aloe Bud:
Aloe Bud is a self care dashboard. You can add widgets that track your hydration, motivation, movement, sleep, and there are other exercises within the app as well. I like this app because you can really personalize it however you want. This app is helpful for tracking aspects of your physical health, too.
stoic.:
This app gives you exercises twice a day, which include breathing, meditation, reflecting on a quote, exploring your fears and goals, and journaling your thoughts. The user interface is very aesthetically pleasing and calming. It is best to use this app with notifications on, so that you can remember to do your exercises regularly. There is also a paid subscription option within this app to unlock more features.
Headspace:
This app is a collection of meditation podcasts and audio clips. These clips cover many topics, from anger management to anxiety to getting active. There are clips that range from three minutes long to over an hour long. I find this app especially useful when I am trying to fall asleep, because the clips are super soothing to me. I think this app is great because, no matter how much time you have in your day, there is something to listen and meditate to. There are some sections that are locked unless you pay for a subscription, but I enjoy the free version a lot.
Vent:
Vent is kind of like a mix of Pinterest and a chat room. You can follow different accounts that post about specific topics and themes, and you can respond to these posts. There are also reaction options under each post. My favorite thing about Vent is that you can create your own posts for others to interact with. You can select how you are feeling, and write about whatever you want. Then, other users can respond. This is especially helpful if you are seeking advice or reassurance of some kind. There are some things that are only accessible to paid users, but I have found that there is plenty to access in the free version.
For some tips on non-technology based self-care check out the article Why Is Self Care Important? Knowing How and When to Take a Break
