Now more than ever, online tools are being used to build resilience and wellness. While such apps should not be seen as a way to replace clinician-based mental health interventions, they can be a great starting point for those who aren’t comfortable seeking in-person support right away, according to occupational therapists from the University of Alberta.
Here are a few tips for choosing apps to help you with your wellness goals:
• Pay attention to reviews of apps. Recommendations can go a long way when they come from others who might be in a similar situation.
• Look for apps that include deep or diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness strategies, visualization techniques and progressive muscle relaxation and sleep strategies.
• Seek out apps that provide ways to practise mental health strategies and techniques. These can take time to be effective, so it’s important to make sure you’re following the proper directions.
• Check the app’s developer to make sure it was created by a reputable source. Reliable apps should be researched and tested carefully for effectiveness.
• Look for features that make you feel most comfortable. Many of the available apps use the same general concepts but can present their information in different ways. If you’re a visual learner, choose the app with more diagrams and videos. If you learn by reading, pick the app with more text. Remember, a reliable app can help you maintain feeling well, but if you are having constant feelings of anxiety and depression, seek help by contacting your health care professional.