Apps for reducing stress during pandemic

Breathe and Relax
Times are stressful. We’re all living with a pandemic, many of us have grossly adjusted our work schedules and many have lost work all together. We have been thrust into new roles as teachers, caregivers, and online facilitators. In addition to the increased time we are spending with families, we are feeling the stress of the circumstances. As counter-intuitive as this may sound, we can find relief from yes, our cellphones. Today there are a myriad of apps out there to help us learn to breath and relax all the while connecting us to a larger online community. Today I’d like to share three apps to get you and your whole family started in managing your stress, one breath at a time.

The first app I’d like to share is Insight Timer. I’ve been using the timed portion with the kids I work with to help guide us in a “Mindful Minute.” I let them choose the bells they want to start and end with as well as the music that plays during the space between the bells. They enjoy having that control and they are more willing to relax for a few minutes knowing they set it up. This free app also has meditations for parents and children focusing on relaxation, managing stress, concentration, and sleep.

The second app to get you back to feeling relaxed and in control is Calm. The visuals are beautiful and the natural sounds are like you’re completely immersed in nature. I like the Mood Check-In that allows you to log how you’re feeling and then you receive a recommendation for a meditation based on your response. They too have body scans and sleep meditations to take advantage of. Calm is also a free app.

And lastly, a little detour from the others, I like the app Colorfly. This app provides a variety of free pictures that you can color with a tap of your finger. They provide you several beautiful palettes to choose from. There’s a showroom where you can upload your finished item to share with others around the world. So go on, express yourself!

I hope you’ll take a few moments to check out these three wonderful apps. They are all free and easy to navigate through. They provide a variety of opportunities to step away from it all and relax the nervous system a bit. Feel free to share your thought on our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!

Lori Stokes 
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant