The beginning of the semester can be tough for anyone, especially with those who are battling anxiety and other mental illnesses. There are many ways to take care of yourself during this hard time. Including going to therapy, taking naps, eating well and engaging in relaxing activities such as meditation.
Another really good way to calm your mind and take a break when you’re feeling sad, scared, or anxious is to play relaxing games on your phone or use apps that are designed to work against anxiety.
Though I know as well as anyone that apps on my phone can’t solve all of my problems, sometimes using them for a few minutes helps calm me down during a breakdown and get me to a more comfortable headspace. Here are some of my favorite apps that have helped to remedy my anxiety.
- 2048
This is a popular one and for good reason. I’ve loved this app for a long time because it’s so easy to play, so it’s a good one for when I want to zone out and relax for a little bit. For those of you who don’t know, this is a classic merging game that involves merging smaller numbers together to create larger numbers. It’s extremely satisfying to merge the numbers together and it’s a nice game to play while I’m just sitting on my phone listening to a podcast or to music.
2. Infinity Loop
This is one of those games that’s actually designed to combat anxiety. Not only does it have very relaxing music in the background, but the actual gameplay is also extremely calming. It’s very minimalistic so it’s not overwhelming at all, but it’s challenging and thought-provoking enough to engage your mind. This game involves rotating various pieces of a puzzle to create closed shapes. If it sounds very simple that’s because it is, but trust me, it’s one of the best games I’ve played in a while.
3. Best Fiends
This is the game that showed up in all those YouTube ads back in 2015. While at the time it seemed like a really annoying app, I downloaded it back then and I’ve been playing it ever since. What I love about this game is that it’s decently challenging. I’m on level 450 right now, so I’m at the point where every single level takes at least 3 attempts to beat. Trying hard to win each level is a good way for my mind to focus on something other than my anxiety, which is why this is one of my favorite games.
3. Merged
Merged is another game that I’ve played for a while. It’s as addicting as it is soothing. While it’s very similar to 2048 when it comes to gameplay, I actually enjoy this one more because it’s a lot more calming and satisfying. It’s also very simple: you combine three blocks of the same color and they merge together to form a block of another color. What I like about this game is that it’s hard to lose so I can play it for a long time.
4. Calm
Calm is often advertised as the leading app for anxiety relief. I really like this app because it’s a great way to de-stress. It has many features such as relaxing sleep stories, calming music, guided meditation and breathing programs. Calm is recommended by professional psychologists, therapists and other mental health experts. I can see why, because this app is truly helpful when it comes to anxiety. The only downside about this one is that it requires a subscription. It’s a little pricey, but in my mind, it’s a really good investment.
5. White Noise Lite
This is a great alternative to Calm if you don’t want to spend any money. I started using this app a long time ago when I was younger and having lots of trouble sleeping. I redownloaded it just a few days ago and it’s been really helpful. This app is basically just a bunch of calming sounds that you can play in the background as you go to sleep or as you try to relax. What I really like about it is that you can mix different sounds together and control pitch and volume as much as you want. It’s really calming and very helpful for people like me who have trouble sleeping.
These apps definitely won’t single-handedly get rid of your anxiety, but they can certainly help you manage it. They’re a good way to relax and unwind but keep in mind that they’re not a serious form of therapy.
If you are severely struggling with anxiety, the first thing you should do is reach out to your Residence Assistant, a trusted friend, or a counselor at the Wellness Center. Anxiety is treatable and there are many ways to help yourself feel better. Take care of yourself!
