I don’t know if it’s the weather or the shorter days or the upcoming holiday season but I have been noticing that the pace of life has picked up.  Everyone I talk to is busy, stretched and feeling “stressed”.

To counteract this trend I have been sharing a variety of relaxation apps with my clients.  These three have recently come to my attention.

Fluid is a free app that is quite simple really – an image of rocks with water flowing over them and playing in the background is what the app designers call “Zen music”.   .   If you pay for Fluid2 you get to choose your own music.  Besides the images of rocks you can choose an image of your own if you wish.  There’s not just the visual and auditory to experience there is a tactile element to this as well.  As you move your fingers over the screen it’s as if you are moving your fingers through water creating ripples.  It’s mesmerizing and calming.

Relaxing Sounds of Nature Lite is another free app.   Ahh, crickets chirping, rainfall, waves and more.  You can control the volume and mix sounds together.  Create your own relaxation soundscapes.  Set a nature soundscape as your wakeup timer.  There is an option to view a slideshow of nature photos as well.

This next one you have to pay for.  iZenGarden is a “portable Zen garden” complete with virtual sandbox and rake. You can choose elements to place in the garden while listening (or not) to the soothing soundtracks.   You can move elements around and rake the sand into patterns creating a meditative space online. One reviewer said the audio alone made the price of the app worthwhile.

Just reviewing these sites I feel more peaceful and tranquil.  Maybe you’d like to give it a shot too.

 

Dawn Schell, MA, CCC, CCDP is an affiliate counsellor with Worldwide Therapy Online Inc.  http://www.therapyonline.ca

 

*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA