4 apps to combat burnout and work-related stress
Burnout is real, and managing it is essential for your well-being. In this article, we've shared four apps that can help you reduce stress, refocus, and prioritise mental health in your daily routine.
When speaking about managing work-related stress, we can’t ignore the topic of burnout.
The World Health Organisation defines burnout as “a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
The WHO further categorises burnout by 3 dimensions:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
- Reduced professional efficacy
Sound familiar?
You are not alone. To help promote mental health and workplace wellness, we have compiled a list of helpful apps to combat workplace stress and signs of burnout. The trick is to recognise these triggers and ultimately manage your workload healthily and effectively.
1. Headspace
This award-winning app with 65+ million users has hundreds of meditations with some only one-minute long. Research shows that Headspace can positively impact sleep, mood, work and stress.
A work-based study said 30 days of Headspace lowers stress by 32%, and just 4 sessions reduce burnout by 14%.
If you manage a team or own a business, there is also an option to get Headspace for work. By encouraging mental health in the workplace and providing tools for your employees, your team can see an increase in focus, productivity and overall happiness.
“4 weeks of Headspace can increase focus by 14%, and just a single session cuts mind-wandering by 22%” – Headspace
Cost: Free for the basic plan, or a subscription for $69.99 / year plan or $12,99 / month
2. Noisli
Looking to block out external noise? Noisli can help by providing a platform where you can mix different sounds to serve your mood or task at hand.
When we experience workplace stress, we can easily feel overwhelmed, and our thoughts can take over.
Noisli can help block out these unwanted thoughts and boost productivity through encouraging focus. The app also offers a timer, which can help you work in sessions to prevent burnout.
Cost: Free
3. Calm
Apple’s Best of 2018 award winner, Calm, hosts a variety of videos that include guided stretching, sleep stories, and meditation.
Every day, a new “Daily Calm” meditation is released with a different theme, motivating people to use the app and see what the day’s meditation holds.
The sleep stories help stressed sleepers rest easy, especially when overwhelmed by anxiety and stress from work.
Cost: Free
4. Stoic
Stoic is a mental health training app that helps you learn to cope with stress and daily obstacles. This app follows the philosophy of stoicism, which in summary is:
- Become happier and more productive
- Become less emotionally reactive
- Become a better, kinder person
- Become better at resolving conflicts
The app includes a mental health tracker companion for mood tracking, journaling, meditations, and reflection. It analyses your emotive influences and gives you insights on how to be happier and more productive.
Cost: Free
Available on IOS
Want to speak to someone now?
🇦🇺 Australia: Call 1300 22 4636, 24-hour help — Beyond Blue.
🇧🇪 Belgium: Call 106, 24-hour help — Tele-Onthaal.
🇧🇷 Brazil: Call 188, 24-hour help — Centro de Valorização da Vida (CVV).
🇨🇦 Canada: Text HOME to 686868, 24-hour help — Crisis Text Line.
🇩🇪 Germany: Call 0800 111 0 111 / 222, 24-hour help — TelefonSeelsorge.
🇭🇰 Hong Kong: Call 2389 2222, 24-hour help — The Samaritan Befrienders.
🇲🇾 Malaysia: Call 03-2780 6803 — Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA).
🇳🇿 New Zealand: Call or text 1737, 24-hour help — Need to Talk? (1737).
🇸🇬 Singapore: Call 6389-2222, 24-hour help – Institute of Mental Health.
🇿🇦 South Africa: Call 0800 456 789, 24-hour help — SADAG.
🇳🇱 The Netherlands: Call 0900 1450 — MIND Korrelatie.
🇹🇭 Thailand: Call 1323, 24-hour help — Department of Mental Health (DMS).
🇦🇪 UAE: Call 920033360, 24-hour help — National Committee for Mental Health.
🇬🇧 UK: Call 116 123, 24-hour help — The Samaritans.
🇺🇸 US: Text CONNECT to 741741, 24-hour help — Crisis Text Line.
Not in these locations? Find an international crisis line here.
