Five apps to help you relax and reduce stress

The third Monday in January is one of the most dreary dates that’s weighed heavy on our calendars for a few years now. It’s the most depressing day of the year for a few reasons that fall on or around this specific day: the return from vacation, bad weather, debts incurred from overzealous Christmas shopping, and the typical guilt experienced after failed new year’s resolutions. All these factors and more make up the formula discovered in 2005 by Cliff Arnall, psychologist at Cardiff University. Whether this day affects you or not, it’s never a bad a idea to take a proactive stance against the “winter blues” and there’s no better way than to use these five free Android apps to combat Blue Monday.  

Gratus

A lot of the time, we don’t even notice the little positive things that happen to us on a daily basis. Little things that make our life better and that we tend to ignore since they’re typically just ordinary occurrences. But it’s always a good idea to try to notice the little things and that’s what Gratus is here to help you with. It’s an app that invites you to note down the positives that happen daily in an aim to make you more conscious of the great things in your life. It’s a little motivational app courtesy of Francisco Franco. [Download]

Calm

We can’t even count the number of apps available on Android that aim to help us relax. However, there’s no doubt that Calm holds a place at the top of the list. It’s a tool that provides different exercises to help you meditate, sleep better, or simply take a much-needed breather. The app provides a series of exercises to help you maintain a more relaxing life. Something that’s fundamental these days. [Download]

Fabulous

We’ve already talked about Fabulous on more than one occasion, but it’s logical that it always comes to mind; it’s an excellent app for motivating us and creating healthy life habits. Its Material Design layout is outstanding and these visuals perfectly complement the enormous number of options available that are sure to help you work through those moments when you’re feeling down. [Download]

ThinkUp

We shouldn’t underestimate the power of positive thinking and there’s nothing like listening to your own voice to reinforce its effects. With ThinkUp, you can record positive affirmations to motivate yourself in those times when you’re feeling down in the dumps. If you don’t feel up to this task, the app itself offers a series of general affirmations to help boost your spirits at those times you need it most. And it’s all wrapped up in a beautiful and functional interface.  [Download]

Workout Trainer

Focusing on only one single exercise app would be rather hasty of us, but this list isn’t really about that. It’s more important to focus on the fact that doing exercise can help us improve both our minds and our bodies. This app offers all the typical exercises you’ll find in other similar apps, but it offers a series of personal trainers to help you live up to your full potential. A truly useful feature that’ll lend you a hand when you don’t feel like getting up off the couch. [Download]