Keeping Calm in the New Year

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Mindfulness emerged as one of the buzzwords in our vocabulary of self-care techniques last year. As the calendar turns to 2019 we ask, how can we elevate mindfulness in our own lives, as parents, educators and in the lives of our children?

Since, we are all increasingly attached to our phones, we can put this addiction to good use by channeling some of that energy and time on improving our mental health. There are many easily available apps that promote social and emotional health and well-being. We spoke with professionals throughout the community, including our friends at The Metropolitan Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy. Here are five apps that provide mental health and mindfulness support on the go.

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Mindspace
Guided Meditations and Mindfulness takes a calm, relaxed approach to bringing relaxation into the lives of adults and kids. Headspace app, aims to keep children “calm and focused” through short meditation exercises.

Calm
Calm is the perfect meditation app for beginners, but also includes hundreds of programs for intermediate and advanced users. Guided meditation sessions are available in lengths of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 or 25 minutes so you can choose the perfect length to fit with your schedule.

What's Up
What’s Up is a free app that helps users cope with depression, anxiety, anger and stress through therapy methods and tools like a diary and a tracker for both positive and negative habits. The app also has forums to connect with others, guides on staying grounded and calming breathing techniques.

Happify
Happify is one case where playing games on a smartphone can serve a meaningful purpose. Offering free in-app purchase options, it has different tracks, including parenting anxiety and confidence, which are coached by trained professionals. Choose your tracks and then play games and activities to progress.

Insight Timer
Insight Timer is an app for meditation and mindfulness practice available for iOS and Android. Insight Timer is an alarm that times your mindfulness practice while simultaneously helping you to use your smartphone as a spiritual link to a worldwide community of meditators using “insight connect.”