Are you one of those people who get home after a long day at the office and fall into bed as soon as possible? I don’t know about you, but it’s then that my brain kicks in and decides this would be a good time to process a multitude of unfathomable ideas, thoughts and sentiments. I’ll eventually fall into a deep sleep in the early hours of the morning and then battle to wake up. Are you feeling my vibe? Yes?
Well, I’ve got the solution for you … APPS. Here are my favourites:
BREATHE
You’ll need an Apple watch for this fab app. Designed to help you relax and focus on your breathing, the app takes you through a series of deep breaths. You can choose the length of time you want the sequence to run and the animation helps you focus.
This app is free but has in-app purchase options for additional features.
CALM – Meditation and Sleep
Voted the Apple App of the Year in 2017 and winner of Best of 2018 Award, this app will leave you US$13/month out of pocket but, hopefully, catching those Zzzz’s, experiencing lower stress levels and less anxiety. The app has a series of programmes to choose from –guided meditations, sleep stories, mindfulness topics, breathing and stretching exercises and relaxing music.
The app has been recommended by top psychologists, therapists and mental health experts.
Sleep Cycle
Keep your phone close by as Sleep Cycle tracks your sleep pattern through sound analysis and finds the optimal time, when you are in light sleep, to wake you up in the morning. So, although it doesn’t help you fall asleep, it tracks your sleep patterns so that you wake up feeling naturally rested and energised.
The app will set you back US$39.99
Rain, Rain Sleep Sounds
Who doesn’t love the sound of rain when you’re snuggled up warmly in bed? With over 100 high-quality sounds such as thunderstorms, ocean waves, gentle streams, etc. this app will have you snoring gently in no time.
This app is free but has in-app purchase options for additional features.
Sleep Sounds by Sleep Pillow
This app provides an array of advanced ambient sounds that ease you into a cyclical sleep pattern. They’re designed to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Create your favourite short-list and enjoy the fade-out sleep timer and alarm clock with a slow fade-in.
This app is free but has in-app purchase options for additional features.