Calming apps to help you de-stress
By Brittney MacDonald, Life & Style Editor
With school starting up again, finding time to relax has become an even greater feat. In my quest to reduce my own personal anxiety, as well as shoulder the burden of education and working customer service, I have turned to my cell phone for help. Meditation apps meant to help you relax have become all the rage. They vary in method, but all have the same intentâto stop you from becoming too overwhelmed. Here are a couple I have found that might make your day a little more bearable.
Rain Sounds or Rain Rain Sleep Sounds
Called either depending if youâre using iOS or Android, this app plays a variety of white noise revolving around the sound of rain or water. This kind of noise allows most people to zone out, or subconsciously reduces their tension. If you work in a particularly noisy environment it also happens to be the perfect tool for taking cat naps on the fly. The sounds are customizable; simply choose from of variety of options such as âRain on the sidewalkâ or âRain on the roof,â and adjust it to what you find the most familiar and/or calming. Out of the apps that Iâve tried, Iâve found the most success with this one.
Buddhify
Unlike the first option, this app is not free. Available on iOS and Android, it averages about $6.99. The focus of Buddhify is customization. Whatever your problem is, it wants to build a solution around you, and with over 80 built in sound tracks, it has the muscle to do so. I like this option because it doesnât require you to fully disconnect; it has an option for meditating while online, which I found unique and very accommodating towards me and my fellow internet junkies.
Calm
If youâve never tried meditation, or are intimidated by the idea of having to sit still for too long, then Calm is the app for you. Free on both iOS and Android, this app doesnât ask for much, and in return sets you up with a seven-day schedule that lets you determine the length of your meditation sessions. This is incredibly helpful if you get fidgety after extended periods of sitting quietly. This app also features a mode for insomniacs to help them sleep easier. Overall, the app serves as a good introduction, but I donât recommend signing up for the 21-day subscription.
