Three Apps To Help You Relax Right Now
Some of the best apps to help you relax are available right now for free in your pocket. Though our phones can be an incredible source of stress with alerts and notifications pinging us at what seems like every minute, our handheld devices can offer a bit of digital relief with some incredible and easy to use relaxation apps.
Here are some of our favorites to use when you're feeling anxious:
Breathe2Relax - FREE
Has your therapist recommended you practice deep breathing during times of stress or as a regular practice to help you remain mindful and centered? If you find deep breathing difficult on your own, this free app guides you through a deep breathing exercise with relaxing music and beautiful images, and it helps you rate your stress level along the way.
Calm - FREE
Do you find yourself often losing focus during meditation or struggling to implement deep breathing practices to help manage your stress? The Calm app is quite sleek offering a beautiful user interface to help you relax. It includes both deep breathing exercises and meditation with programs you can choose to build skills around your stress-reduction goals.
Headspace - FREE
Want to add a communal element to your meditation? Headspace offers a free 10-day program to get you started with the process of meditation. If you enjoy this program, for an additional fee you can subscribe to other programs to develop mindfulness in specific areas of your life. Headspace also allows a communal program where you can meditate with friends if you'd like the accountability.
HOW TO START ONLINE THERAPY IN NEW YORK
1. Locate a practice like Healthy Minds NYC that is located in the New York area. Instead of working with a purely virtual therapy platform, it’s more helpful to find a local practice that can eventually see you in-person when it’s safe to have sessions in an office. This level of versatility will allow you to establish care now while you’re home but transition whenever you prefer as life evolves.
2. Explore how much online therapy will cost. At Healthy Minds NYC, we have a special quick-start virtual package available for clients who want to start online therapy now. Schedule a free consultation with our care coordinator to learn what your out-of-pocket cost may be. We also work with your insurance and submit claims on your behalf if your benefits allow. This may help reduce your overall upfront costs to make therapy affordable today.
3. Ask what platform your therapist will use. Your privacy is paramount. Be sure that the online therapy platform your therapist uses is secure. At Healthy Minds NYC we only use video platforms that are free for clients to access on their desktop or mobile device and that are HIPAA-compliant.
4. Find out what your options are to try different therapists. It can take time to connect with a therapist, in person or online. But in the midst of our current crisis you might want to ensure that you get the care you need in the most efficient way possible. Our care coordinators are here to help you identify your specific needs and specially match you with the therapist who meets the criteria you desire within your budget and availability. We want to take the guesswork out of the process to help reduce your stress as you book your first session.
READY TO BEGIN?
If you’re looking to begin any services with Healthy Minds NYC, the easiest way to start is by scheduling a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with our care coordinator. During this call we’ll help determine the best course of care with you, explore your payment options and schedule your first appointment. We can also share details about our quick start online therapy program to help you get care at a reduced cost. Our goal is to speed you along your journey toward health with the best process that meets your unique needs.
