Introduction
Self-care: There’s an App for that!: Self-care apps for mental health have grown increasingly popular as more people are prioritizing their emotional wellbeing. With the rise of smartphones and app stores, there are now hundreds of self-care apps available at our fingertips. This article will provide reviews of some of the most popular categories of self-care apps, including:
- Reflective journaling
- Mood tracking
- Goal setting and habit tracking
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Creative expression
- Online counseling
The table below provides a brief overview of the specific apps that will be reviewed in each category:
| Category | Apps Reviewed |
|---|---|
| Reflective Journaling | Stoic, Reflectly |
| Mood Tracking | Moodnotes, Metta, Dailyvee |
| Goal Setting & Habit Tracking | Grow, Plant Nanny |
| Mindfulness & Meditation | Calm, Insight Timer |
| Creative Expression | Paper |
| Online Counseling | Talkspace, BetterHelp |
These apps provide diverse options for enhancing your self-care routine using technology. However, it’s important to note that no app can replace traditional self-care like sleep, nutrition, exercise and social connection. The reviews will summarize the pros and cons of each app to help readers determine which may be most beneficial for their needs.
Reflective Journaling Apps
Reflective journaling apps provide a space to process emotions, thoughts, and experiences. Features like mood tracking and journal prompts support self-reflection and identifying patterns.
A. Stoic
- Allows quick journal entries to log moods and summarize reflections
- Includes features for mental health tracking, daily check-ins, affirmations
- Pros: Simple and quick journaling. Focus on self-reflection.
- Cons: Limited features compared to other journaling apps.
B. Reflectly
- AI-powered journal guides you through mood tracking and reflective prompts
- Provides motivation, inspiration quotes, and reminders
- Pros: Interactive and personalized prompts. Encourages consistency.
- Cons: Require more time commitment than quick journal apps.
Mood Tracking Apps
Dedicated mood tracking apps allow you to monitor your emotional patterns over time. Visualizing trends can provide valuable self-insight.
A. Moodnotes
- Tracks moods and allows journaling for reflection
- Can add tags and review past entries
- Pros: Great for identifying mood triggers and patterns.
- Cons: No habit tracking features.
B. Metta
- Logs daily achievements, mistakes, thoughts, and emotions
- Provides analytics and insights on entries
- Pros: Allows tracking all experiences, not just positives.
- Cons: Data-focused rather than reflective.
Goal Setting & Habit Tracking Apps
Goal setting and habit tracking apps motivate you to build positive routines through progress tracking and reminders.
A. Grow
- Allows setting hydration, activity, sleep goals
- Cute plant visuals track progress
- Pros: Fun, game-like interface. Easy Apple Health integration.
- Cons: Limited customization. Requires Apple devices.
B. Plant Nanny
- Cute water tracking app in the form of a virtual plant
- Reminds you to drink water through the day
- Pros: Engaging concept makes achieving water intake goals fun.
- Cons: Only tracks water, not other habits.
Mindfulness & Meditation Apps
These apps provide guided meditations to help build a consistent mindfulness practice. Features like tracking keep you motivated.
A. Calm
- Large library of meditations, sleep stories, music
- Programs for beginners to advanced
- Pros: High quality content. Great for sleep.
- Cons: Subscription required after initial free trial.
B. Insight Timer
- Free app with thousands of meditations, talks, music
- Has groups, challenges and meditation tracker
- Pros: Completely free. Large content library.
- Cons: Can feel overwhelming with many options.
Creative Expression Apps
Creative expression apps give you an artistic outlet to process emotions. The tactile experience can have a therapeutic effect.
A. Paper
- Digital sketching, journaling, collage app
- Lots of drawing tools, colorful stickers, fonts
- Pros: Great creative options. Feels like real journaling.
- Cons: No cloud sync between devices.
Online Counseling Apps
If you need more support, online counseling apps connect you with licensed therapists for convenient mental health care.
A. Talkspace
- Match with a therapist and communicate via text, video, audio
- More affordable than traditional in-office therapy
- Pros: Convenient. More anonymous. Cost effective.
- Cons: No in-person interactions. Medication not provided.
B. BetterHelp
- Similar features as Talkspace
- Large therapist network with quick matching
- Pros/Cons: Basically the same as Talkspace. More therapist options.
Conclusion
In summary, self-care apps have unique benefits but also limitations. Reflecting on your needs and personal style will help determine which options are right for enhancing your self-care routine. No app can completely replace real-world practices like sleep, exercise, social connection, and professional mental health treatment if needed. Use self-care apps as helpful tools rather than relying on them completely.
Remember – Self-care: There’s an App for that!
Here are the links to the apps in this article:
| App Name | iOS Link | Android Link | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoic | Link | Link | Stoic is a mental health app that provides users with daily exercises to help them build resilience and improve their mental health. |
| Reflectly | Link | Link | Reflectly is a journaling app that uses AI to help users track their moods and improve their mental health. |
| Moodnotes | Link | Link | Moodnotes is a thought journal and mood tracker that helps users identify patterns in their thinking and improve their mental health. |
| Metta | Link | N/A | Meta is a meditation app that uses AI to personalize meditation sessions for users based on their goals and preferences. |
| Grow | Link | Link | Grow is a self-improvement app that provides users with personalized coaching to help them achieve their goals. |
| Plant Nanny | Link | Link | Plant Nanny is a hydration tracking app that encourages users to drink more water by growing virtual plants. |
| Calm | Link | Link | Calm is a meditation and sleep app that provides users with guided meditations, sleep stories, and other relaxation tools. |
| Insight Timer | Link | N/A | Insight Timer is a meditation app that provides users with thousands of guided meditations, music tracks, and ambient sounds to help them relax and focus. |
| Paper by WeTransfer | Link | N/A | Paper by WeTransfer is a note-taking app that allows users to sketch, draw, and write notes on their mobile devices. |
| Talkspace | Link | Link | Talkspace is an online therapy app that connects users with licensed therapists for counseling sessions via text, audio, or video chat. |
| BetterHelp | Link | Link | BetterHelp is an online counseling app that connects users with licensed therapists for counseling sessions via text, audio, or video chat. |
