Have you ever tried to manage your anxiety?

If so, you’ll know that it’s difficult because anxiety isn’t something we pay attention to- it just creeps up on us gradually, or just plain assaults us. So what do you do? Many people have found success by using medication and therapy.

Medication and therapy have their place.  But, in addition to those very important treatments, the age of the internet has spawned anxiety apps!   

This post will tell you about some of the new anxiety apps, and why I love them.

5 Reasons To Love The New Anxiety Apps

1.   You can use them any time

You can only see a psychiatrist or a therapist at certain times, by appointment.

But you can pull your smartphone out any time!

2.  They walk you through the learning process

I’ve been learning about and teaching cognitive behavior and mindfulness for years.

But it’s taken me that long to become comfortable teaching it to my clients.

Anxiety and other mental health apps make complex ideas simple.

They walk you, step-by-step, through the learning and practice process.

3.  They can help you build powerful habits outside of therapy

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.” ~ Lao Tzu

If you’re already attending counseling or therapy, you learn a lot during the session.

But how easy is it to translate everything you learned in that session into your life?

Apps are great not only at teaching, but reinforcing learning.

And once you’ve learned a positive habit, it becomes part of your character that improves your quality of life.

4.  They decrease stigma

Let’s face it: mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, are still viewed differently from other medical conditions.

We can unconsciously absorb negative views of mental health conditions.

When we’re ashamed of those conditions, we may deny that we have that condition, or avoid getting help.

However, apps tend to “gamify” evidence based interventions.  When we’re on our phones, using an app like we do any other, we start to think of our depression and anxiety as any other aspect of our health.

5.  They’re inexpensive

Apps are inexpensive when you consider how much you spend:

A) on your favorite hobbies

B) on almost any other line item in your budget.

I’ll give you an example.  I tend to eat out at least once or twice a week.  It’s hard to find meals that are less than $6 per meal these days.

So…. $12 per week times (conservatively) 50 weeks equals (yikes!) $600 per year!

At the most, the apps I’ve presented in this article charge between $100 and $150 per year.

And a Bonus:

They’re based on research about what works to reduce anxiety.

These anxiety apps are based on cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness and meditation.

5 Anxiety Apps You Can Use Today

Mindshift

I love this app!

Reviews I’ve read say it seems to be aimed more at kids, teens, and young adults.

But I’ve found that materials written for younger audiences make concepts easier to understand.

MindShift will help you learn how to relax,