Stress Relief - More Helpful Apps for Caregivers 2017 - Stress Relief

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 - More Helpful Apps for Caregivers 2017 (Scheduling & Medication)
Part 2 - More Helpful Apps for Caregivers 2017 (Monitoring & Meals)

Introduction

This third part in our 2017 update to our previous Helpful Apps for Caregivers guide focuses on stress relief-- in particular on those apps for the iOS and Android platforms that are centered around meditation, breathing techniques, positive thinking, and other mindfulness methods that would be helpful to the harried caregiver or to anyone in general under a bit (or a lot) of stress.
 
Most of the listed apps are free or have basic free or trial versions with opt-in premium content for purchase or available subscriptions.

Apps

Stress is Gone

• iOS | Android ($1.99)
• This app has been certified by American Institute of Stress and focuses on managing meditation practice and breathing techniques to lower stress. It also includes a one touch stress relief function, the ability to set up breathing reminders in advance. and the ability to connect with a live stress coach. Those on iOS can also check out the free app Stress Stopper by the same company which provides some similar functions.
  

Stress Stopper

• iOS (Free)
• By the same company as Stress is Gone, this app provides tips to managing stress in the heat of the moment, the ability to connect to a live stress coach and schedule breathing and audio reminders in advance (such as chiming or laughter), as well as including links to other free stress relief tools.
  

MyCalmBeat

• iOS | Android (Free)
• A simple to use app that helps the user to manage stress, improve their focus & heart rate control, as well as build resilience through slow breathing techniques with visual and audio cues. Also includes the ability to track one's progress through the program.
  

Virtual Hope Box

• iOS | Android (Free)
• This app contains simple tools to help the user with coping with stress, relaxation, and positive thinking. It includes positive activity planning, distraction tools, guides to interactive relaxation exercises using imagery, controlled breathing, and muscle relaxation as well as the ability to store a variety of supportive & personal multimedia content for times of need (such as family photos, videos, inspirational quotes etc)
  

What's Up? - Mental Heath App

• iOS | Android (Free with in-app purchases)
• This app uses CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy) methods to help the user cope with depression, anxiety, anger, and general stress. It includes a guide to overcoming the 12 most common negative thinking patterns, a comprehensive diary feature that includes the ability to rate feelings, a positive and negative habit tracker, an interactive catastrophe scale, grounding games, guides to simple breathing techniques, positive quotes, as well as the ability to access What's Up? user forums.
  

Happify

• iOS |Android (Free with in-app purchases - Happify Plus starts at $4.99 per month)
• This app contains 30+ free tracks of small quizzes, games, and activities that guide the user to a more positive outlook on daily life. Tracks include conquering negative thoughts, coping better with stress, building self-confidence and more. The app also includes ability to generate a 20-page character strength report on the user.
  

buddhify

• iOS |Android ($4.99 on iOS / $2.99 on Android)
• This app is centers on mindfulness-based meditation on the go containing 80+ custom guided audio meditation tracks and 11 hours of custom meditations composed of 5 - 30minute tracks for 15 different parts of the day. Topics vary from traveling, being online, taking a work break and going to sleep.

Stress Free Now for Healers

• iOS (Free)
• This app was designed in partnership with doctors and nurses at the Cleveland Clinic in order to support healers and caregivers with lowering their related stress. Practicing the app's relaxation techniques at least 4 times a week is meant to quiet the mind and activate the parts of the nervous system that are associated with a relaxed and peaceful state.

Relax

• iOS |Android (Free with in-app purchases, $2.99 for Full Version)
• De-stress with this simple and intuitive app's guided breathing and meditation exercises that use calming music cues for each phase of breathing. Features guided meditation & breathing techniques in short 8 minute sessions that focuses on different parts of the body. Intermediate and Advanced Breathing Sessions are available in the full version on the app.
  

Headspace

• iOS |Android (Free with in-app purchases, $12.99 per month/$94.99 year subscription)
• This app contains simple guided meditations suitable for all levels to help improve the user's focus, mindfulness, relieve anxiety, and reduce stress. Includes free 10 minute meditations for beginners with personalized progress page, a buddy system, as well as reminders and rewards for regularly using the app.
  

The Mindfulness App

• iOS |Android (Free with in-app purchases)
• This app contains a five day guided introduction to mindfulness as well as guided & personalized meditations ranging from 3 to 30 minutes long, as well as breathing reminders and statistics. The premium version has access to 200+ more guided meditation tracks.
  

Pacifica

• iOS | Android (Free with in App Purchases)
• This app provides 25+ relaxation & mindfulness meditation tools for deep breathing, muscle relaxation, positive visualization, and more. Includes a mood tracker, thought recording, journaling, & analysis, guided self help paths, as well as daily challenges and goal & health trackers. The user can also share stories, advice and more with Pacifica’s peer-support community.
  

Calm

• iOS | Android (Free with in App Subscription Services)
• This is a meditation app that can be used by beginners, intermediate, as well as advanced gurus. It includes guided meditation sessions from 3 to 25 minutes long, breathing programs, sleep stories, and 25+ soothing nature sounds.