5 health apps to ease stress, calm anxiety, manage emotions and stay positive

Headspace, What’s Up, Dry Days, Catch It and Happify are five health apps designed to improve your positivity and bring a greater peace of mind

They could be especially useful for those worried about the coronavirus outbreak and spending more and more time at home

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Phones can both hinder and help our state of mind during the coronavirus outbreak. Here are five apps that could bring greater peace of mind. Photo: James Wendlinger

Published: 1:00am, 4 Mar 2020Updated: 9:38pm, 4 Mar 2020

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, even mental health professionals like Mandy, who works as a counsellor in Hong Kong’s public sector, can find themselves in need of stress-reduction tools.

The 37-year-old, who prefers not to give her surname, can get face masks at her workplace, but has concerns about being able to replenish her own supply of masks and sterilising products for her family.

Her banking professional husband is now working from home, and their 16-month toddler’s outside playgroups have been suspended until at least mid-March. Juggling unusual work and personal life arrangements can take a mental toll.

To cope, she stays connected with friends on social media and chat platforms such as WhatsApp. She checks her Facebook feed for news, but limits the time she spends reading about the outbreak. “I studied psychology and I know that taking in too much information is not going to help the situation,” she says.

Luckily, the smartphone that can usher in so much anxiety today can also unlock healthy digital tools to promote good habits, lift your mood and bring calmness. Here is a look at five apps that could bring greater peace of mind.

The Headspace app refreshes the mind and keeps negative emotions at bay.