Be Kind to Your Mind: 5 Free Apps Worth Trying
Mental health is something I’ve struggled with for years. Ever since I’ve had access to a smartphone, I’ve been searching for apps that could help support my daily emotional health.
While there were a ton of apps to choose from, most mental health apps either didn’t provide what I needed or didn’t fit my budget. Lucky for you, I have searched the App Store high and low and found five free apps (like actually free) that are worth a try. You can thank me later.
GG OCD
Honestly, this was probably my favorite app. It targets negative thinking patterns often associated with OCD through a simple swiping game. The goal is for you to go through three levels every day in order to slowly rewire how you think. The main reason I loved this one so much was because it only takes five minutes of your day. Yeah, you heard me correctly: only FIVE minutes! My biggest complaint is that the format is fairly static, so it is easy to get bored after a week of use.
Ratings:
As an app: 2/5
My personal score: 4/5
Mind Shift
If aesthetically pleasing apps are your go-to, this app is for you. Mind Shift lets you record how you are feeling every single day. You can learn how to improve your emotions and why you may feel the way you do. There are countless tools you can use on this app. For me, the most beneficial one is the Chill Zone. This is a meditation and breathing tool that helps you refocus your thoughts and center your mind. Personally, I suffer from anxiety more than anything else. This tool gives me the chance to ground myself if I ever feel like I’m falling into a panicked state.
Ratings:
As an app: 4/5
My personal score: 5/5
Happify
Disclaimer: there’s a premium version of this app, but I’m here to tell you that the free version is all you need. First, you start off by deciding what you want to improve about yourself. From there, the app structures the games and tools to your specific needs. Overall, Happify is incredibly engaging through the endless options you can choose from. There’s a new game or challenge for you to complete every day. It usually takes me 20 minutes every day to complete my daily tasks and challenges, so it’s definitely possible to fit into your busy schedule! My biggest complaint is that this app didn’t feel as personal as I would have liked.
Ratings:
As an app: 3/5
My Personal Score: 3/5
Smiling Mind
If you have ever been interested in meditation but don’t know where to begin, this is the app for you. Smiling Mind is a nonprofit that strives to make meditation and mindfulness accessible to everyone. Sessions range from five to fifteen minutes, so you can decide what fits into your schedule best. My main takeaway from Smiling Mind is how beneficial mindfulness is. Just five minutes a day for a week will have you more in tune with your body and emotions.
Ratings:
As an app: 5/5
My Personal Score: 5/5
Aura
Aura is a meditation app that bases its sessions on your mood each day. For example, if you’re feeling anxious, Aura has an anxiety collection that plays meditations to help ease your mind. Each session is only three minutes long, and you get five skips every day. To see the difference, I decided to test out the seven-day free trial. I quickly realized how much was stripped away in the free version. With full access, you can listen to the full 20-minute sessions and skip through as many as you want.
Ratings:
As an app: 3/5
My Personal Score: 1/5
Mental health is so personal that it is nearly impossible to say one app will be great for everyone. I hope that you try some of these apps out for yourself and find one that works best for you. The best advice I can give is that you need to stick with the app for at least two weeks to give it a fair shot. These apps are in no way a replacement for therapy, so don’t use these as a stand-in.
Have any other apps you want us to check out? Be sure to let us know on social media, @AuburnCampusRec!
Be well, Auburn.
Photography: Reese B.
Born and raised in Madison, Alabama, Anna is a junior majoring in graphic design and minoring in marketing. She hopes to pursue a career that satisfies her need to design and challenges her to constantly be creating new marketing strategies.
Anna is passionate about collecting vinyl, finding the best lavender latte, and going on late night drives with her best friend. If you can’t find her at the dog park, she is most likely whipping up a five-course meal for her closest friends.
