Health and wellbeing have never been so important. While we’re all stuck at home and the amount of screen time creeps up for both work and personal use, it makes complete sense that we learn how to use our technology to improve our mental wellbeing as much as possible.
We’ve made a list of suggested platforms to help with mental health:
Big White Wall
Big White Wall is an online platform (www.bigwhitewall.co.uk) providing access to support for people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as forms of anxiety and depression. If you are a Forth Valley College student you can register and use the service for free. The platform allows for peer-to-peer discussion and support, as well as the option to speak to online counsellors. If you feel you need someone to talk to – this one is for you.
Headspace
There are thousands of studies that have shown mindfulness meditation can positively impact mental and physical health. Whether it’s by reducing stress, improving sleep or increasing focus, research shows mindfulness works. Headspace is full of guided meditations with a variety of focuses, such as sleep or reducing anxiety. You can use the basic package for free with the option to subscribe for more features and exercises.
Calm
Calm also focuses on mediation and mindfulness. There is a large selection of guided meditations and different programs for beginners, intermediate and advanced users. Calm also has sleep stories to help you fall into a deep sleep and now also features guided lessons on mindful movement and gentle stretching to release tension in your body. You can sign up to the free trial for Calm initially but it is a subscription-based app.
Daylio
Daylio is a free app designed to help you track your moods. Each day you input your moods and activities you have been doing during that day along with any notes. Daylio works like a diary. The app is collecting your recorded moods and activities in a statistics calendar with the purpose of helping you to understand your habits better, realise any patterns and create positive changes.
Moodpath
Moodpath screens your wellbeing by checking in with you at points of the day, making you more conscious of your thoughts and feelings. After two weeks, you receive an electronic doctor letter which can make your conversation with a professional much easier. There’s more than 150 psychological exercises and videos to give you a better understanding of your moodpath and strengthen your mental health.
SuperBetter
SuperBetter is a tool created by game designers and backed by science. Playing SuperBetter helps build personal resilience: the ability to stay strong, motivated, and optimistic even in the face of difficult challenges. Resilience has a powerful effect on health and also helps you achieve your goals. The game will present you with challenges, allies and distractions to conquer with the aim of building your resilience.
Please also remember that students can still access support from the College throughout the closure – drop an email to wellbeing@forthvalley.ac.uk