by Joe Winfield

NewsJuly 16, 20210 comments

5 Free Apps to Help Cope with Anxiety

5 Free Apps to Help Cope with Anxiety

Feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed are not uncommon and should not go unaddressed. Many of us experience anxiety and stress, especially during times of uncertainty and change – how can we manage these feelings and develop a more healthy mindset?

As a Devon charity and trust, here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we understand how important it is to address mental health struggles and support each other. This is why we have collated some great apps and free resources to help you cope with anxiety and learn some skills to rest and relax the mind even when that feels like an uphill battle.

If you are experiencing more severe issues, please consult a mental healthcare professional.

For more advice, you can also refer to our blog on places you can turn to when you need support:

Catch It

Developed as a joint project from the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester, this app is a simple mood diary, allowing you to record your changing moods and feelings.

By tracking how your feelings shift, the app aims to teach you how to manage anxiety and stress, illustrating new ways to view problems and develop positive ways of coping.

Through questions and guidance, Catch It supports you as you make sense of your moods – users have described how useful this can often be when trying to feel calmer.

Insight Timer

This free app hosts a library of guided meditations designed to help users relax and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.

The guided sessions are led by world-renowned mindfulness experts and psychologists. You will also have access to thousands of music tracks and ambient soundscapes to help you fall asleep or quiet your mind.

There are more than 1,500 meditations tailored specifically to dealing with anxiety.

Stress & Anxiety Companion

This one is great for individuals with mild to moderate anxiety and stress levels.

With techniques built around cognitive behavioural therapy, the app uses an array of breathing exercises, mindfulness games and relaxing music designed to help you set positive goals and routines and manage problematic thinking.

The Stress & Anxiety Companion is all about helping you identify why you’re feeling anxious or stressed and learning how to manage these negative thoughts.

Self-Help for Anxiety Management (SAM)

This engaging and practical app is a helpful resource for those that want to confront their anxiety and really learn how to manage it.

SAM helps you understand the causes behind your anxiety and gives you tools to monitor changing moods, thoughts and behaviours.

Through the various available self-help exercises and reflections, you can learn how to develop healthy thought patterns and actions.

What’s Up?

This free app is designed to help users cope with depression, anxiety, stress and more.

With a range of cognitive behaviour therapy and acceptance commitment therapy methods, the app provides actionable advice on overcoming negative thinking patterns, helps you put your feelings into perspective and gives tips on staying grounded during times of stress.

You can also use the diary to record thoughts and learn how to keep calm with effective breathing exercises.

Again, it should be noted that these apps should not be considered a replacement for professional help – but they can be great aids for boosting general mental health and wellbeing!

Taking to nature and enjoying activities outdoors can also work wonders for mental wellbeing and self-confidence. To find out more about how adventure breaks could help improve mental health, take a look at our blog below:

For more information about the Calvert Experience and the disability activities we offer, please get in touch.