Technology often gets a bad reputation for contributing to stress and distraction, but when used mindfully, it can be a powerful tool to support your wellbeing. From apps that promote mental calm to devices that help you sleep better, there are many low-cost, simple tech solutions worth trying. Here, we’ll explore some of these options, focusing on how they can benefit Australians living with disabilities.
Apps for a Serene Mindset
Calm
Known for its soothing sounds and guided meditations, Calm is an excellent app for anyone looking to reduce stress and anxiety. It also features sleep stories and breathing exercises to help you wind down.
Headspace
Headspace offers guided meditation sessions and mindfulness exercises tailored to different needs, whether it’s stress relief, focus, or sleep improvement. It’s user-friendly and suitable for beginners.
Waking Up
This app, created by Sam Harris, provides a unique approach to mindfulness and meditation. It includes guided sessions, lessons on the philosophy of mindfulness, and even a section on the science behind it.
Breethe
Breethe offers a wide range of meditations, sleep stories, and hypnotherapy sessions. It’s a versatile app that caters to various aspects of mental health and wellbeing.
Insight Timer
With thousands of free guided meditations, Insight Timer is a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to explore meditation. It also has music tracks, talks, and a community feature to connect with others.
Ten Percent Happier
This app combines meditation with practical advice on how to apply mindfulness in everyday life. It’s particularly good for those who are sceptical about meditation or need a more pragmatic approach.
Tech for Better Sleep
Getting sufficient sleep is crucial for overall wellbeing. These apps and devices can help you improve your sleep quality:
Oura Ring
While a bit of an investment, the Oura Ring tracks your sleep patterns, readiness, and activity levels. It provides detailed insights to help you understand and improve your sleep.
SleepTown
This app turns getting a good night’s sleep into a game. You build a town by maintaining a regular sleep schedule. The more consistent you are, the more your town grows.
Sleep Cycle
Sleep Cycle analyses your sleep patterns and wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase, helping you feel more refreshed. It also provides insights into your sleep quality and patterns.
White Noise Lite
This free app offers a variety of white noise sounds to help you sleep better. It’s perfect for drowning out background noise and creating a calm sleeping environment.
Other Useful Tech Tools
MyFitnessPal
This free app helps you track your diet and exercise. It’s great for setting and achieving fitness goals, managing your weight, and ensuring you get the nutrients you need.
Habitica
Turn your life into a role-playing game with Habitica. It helps you build good habits and break bad ones by rewarding you for completing tasks and goals. It’s a fun way to stay motivated.
Charity Miles
This app allows you to earn money for charities while you walk, run, or bike. It’s a wonderful way to stay active while contributing to a good cause.
Forest
If you find it hard to stay focused, Forest can help. It encourages you to stay off your phone by growing a virtual tree. The longer you stay focused, the bigger your tree grows. You can also use the app to plant real trees through its partnership with Trees for the Future.
Lumosity
Lumosity offers brain-training games designed to improve your memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It’s a fun and engaging way to keep your mind sharp.
Fabulous
Fabulous is a self-care app that helps you build healthy habits through science-based coaching. It focuses on creating routines that can enhance your energy, sleep, and productivity.
Conclusion
Technology, when used mindfully, can be a valuable ally in supporting your wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, improve your sleep, or build healthy habits, there’s likely an app or tool that can help. These tech solutions are generally low-cost or free, making them accessible to everyone. So why not give them a try and see how they can enhance your life?
If you’d like to learn more, VIVA Mutual’s Support Centre team is always available to share our expertise and experience for the benefit of Support Coordinators, NDIS participants, and those who support them. Many of us live with disabilities ourselves and/or have family members with NDIS Plans too, so we know what we’re talking about.
For a confidential chat with one of VIVA Mutual’s understanding and supportive folks, please call 08 8877 8000 or send us an email via admin@vivamutual.org.