Apps to kick off the New Year
Although we hoped that many aspects of our lives would get back to pre-pandemic “normal” last year, many of us caring for children with disabilities continued to be challenged in unexpected ways. At times we felt uncertain, disorganized and frustrated, but always aimed to do our absolute best for our families and ourselves. Super moms, dads and grandparents, we are. (Marvel has nothing on us.)
Technology continued to play a huge role in our lives, whether we ordered groceries online (curbside is a game changer), participated in an IEP meeting on Zoom (can you say screen record?), or tried a telehealth visit with the pediatrician for the first time. Many of these advances are here to stay, offering flexibility and convenience to empower caregivers.
Welcome 2022! The beginning of each year promises us a fresh start, urges us to find new motivation, and can be a natural time to think about how to avoid parenting burnout [1] when life gets challenging. How can technology help? Many apps make big claims, but can they really help support our well-being?
We have done the work and tried out apps that can help you set goals, track progress and more. From sleep tracking to daily journaling, we have gathered some of our favorite apps that inspired us and might inspire you to get
focused and stick to your goals in 2022. Each of these apps are meant to help you with a specific aspect of your day-to-day life. Personalize your device with the apps or areas that you need the most help.
Daylio Journal
[2]Daylio is a self-care bullet journal that also allows you to set goals, keep track of mood and happiness. Users can create daily diary entries quickly — in just two steps, by selecting their mood and the activities they want to track. It can be compared to a bullet journal of sorts that helps users hold themselves accountable for their time. You can use Daylio to track eating habits, exercise, and more.
Price: FREE • Offers In-App Purchases
iTunes [3]
Google Play [4]
Video:
Plum Village: Zen Meditation
[6]Plum Village: Zen Meditation is an app that is packed with guided meditations of various types- short, long, silent, eating meditations, deep relaxation, love, and many more as well as guided meditations for children and stories for children. The meditations are led by monks and nuns using periods of silence, bells, calm voices, and encouragement.
Price: FREE
iTunes [7]
Google Play [8]
Video:
Pillow: Sleep Cycle Tracker
[10]Pillow can analyze your sleep cycles automatically using your Apple Watch, or you can use Pillow without an Apple Watch by placing your iPhone or iPad on the mattress near your pillow. Use Pillow as a smart alarm clock to wake up at the lightest possible sleep stage and start your day refreshed and relaxed. Record important audio events such as snoring, sleep apnea and sleep talking. Explore trends about your sleep and compare your sleep quality with many Apple Health metrics that affect sleep.
Price: FREE • Offers In-App Purchases
iTunes [11]
BridgingApps Review [12]
Video:
Productive – Habit Tracker
[13]Oftentimes, when we track our progress and actions it helps us to become more aware and become more proactive about reaching our goals and creating good habits. Productive Habit Tracker is a great app to help you do that. This app is good for those who need reminders to keep them on track of daily goals.
Price: FREE • Offers In-App Purchases
iTunes [14]
Google Play [15]
BridgingApps Review [16]
Trello: organize anything!
[17]Trello is a visual tool for organizing all your projects at work, at home, or anywhere in between. This app is a collaboration tool that helps you organize your to-dos, projects, and other lists onto cards and boards. Think virtual sticky notes. This tool helps the user see what projects are in progress, who is working on what, and how far along each project is.
Price: FREE
iTunes [18]
Google Play [19]
BridgingApps Review [20]
Mint: Budget Planner & Tracker
[21]Mint is a money management app that brings together all of your finances. From balances and budgets to credit health and financial goals, your money essentials are all in one place. Calendar features can be used to track bills and set reminders for when bills are due. Mint also offers a free option to keep track of your credit score.
Price: FREE • Offers In-App Purchases
iTunes [22]
Google Play [23]
Mint Website [24]
Check out BridgingApps App Search Tool [25] to search for apps, create lists and even share them.
BridgingApps, a program of Easter Seals Greater Houston, is a community of parents, therapists, doctors and teachers who share information about using mobile devices with people who have special needs.
Amy Fuchs is the Program Coordinator at BridgingApps and a former special education teacher. Amy Barry is the Content Manager and Editor at BridgingApps and mother of five children.
Cristen Reat is co-founder of BridgingApps and a mother who found success when using a mobile device with her younger son who has multiple disabilities. We share a passion for using mobile technology to enhance the lives of people of all ages with disabilities.
You May Also Like
- 11 Reasons Why You Should Try Mindfulness Meditation and How to Do It! [26]
- Staying Calm While in the Chaos of the Storm [27]
- What Is Emotional Intelligence and Why Is It so Important? [28]
- Tech for Developing Mental Strength for Life’s UPS and Downs [29]
- The Science of Happiness [30]
- Journal Writing Can Help You to Reconnect with Yourself [31]
- Art Therapy: How It Works, the Benefits, How to Start [32]
- If I Were a Parent Today… Vocal Toning for the Modern Parent [33]
- Where’s the RESPITE? [34]
- My Relaxing Escape [35]
- Anxiety in Children and Adolescents [36]
- 5 Steps to Help Your Child Manage Emotions [37]
- Stress-Busting Strategies to Get You to Super Health [38]
- Holiday Stress: 5 Ways to Reduce It [39]
- Mental Health Is Not Something to Take for Granted: How to Manage Depression and Stress During the Holidays [40]
This post originally appeared on our January/February 2022 Magazine [41]