Apps to Relieve Holiday Stress

Even the most laid back among us tend to experience an increased stress level this time of year. There's just so much to do! During the rest of the year, you work hard to balance work, friends, family and your own sanity, but come the holidays you start adding in the planning, the shopping, the spending, the socializing, and zomg did the dog really just do that on the carpet? It would all be so much easier if there were some simple ways to help us manage the things stressing us out, right? Thanks to our phones and laptops, there are lots of ways to de-stress. Here are a few of our favorite apps to combat the stress!

First things first: If you know exactly what's causing your stress, find an app to help you deal with that issue. For example, if you've been focused on slimming down or maintaining your weight and the idea of holiday meals and parties and cookies has you freaking out, check out an app like Calorie Counter for Android. This free app not only tracks your daily calories and exercise, but also has handy features like scanning barcodes and allowing you to save go-to meals, plus it graphs your progress and has a journaling option.

Is your head ringing from the sounds and demands of the day? Once you've handled your boss' random requests and the kids' crazy questions ("Mom, where's that toy I was playing with in the backyard last week?"), take a few moments to yourself and block it all out with $1.99 White Noise for Android or iPhone. The app provides ambient sounds that will help you relax or even fall asleep -- think crickets chirping, ocean waves, air conditioning, vacuum cleaner, and many more. You can even set a timer to fade the sound out and save your battery, and an alarm will slowly fade in to wake you up without startling you.

Want some slightly more interactive stress relief? A favorite game is a fun way to take your mind off whatever is bugging you. A common favorite is Angry Birds for iPhone, $0.99, but many of the old, free standbys still work just as well ... as long as losing at Mahjong or Bejeweled doesn't add to your stress level!



Just as nothing makes us feel more organized than creating a to-do list, nothing makes us feel more productive than crossing items off the to-do list. And, since we experience a huge "heart-to-stomach" drop every time we find a crumpled Post-It with a (long-forgotten, way overdue) important task on it at the bottom of our purses, we think the best reminder is a phone app like Astrid for Android. Not only does it let you add and remove items at your will, but it also provides handy-dandy reminders and it's easy to use. Oh, and it's totally free.

When you feel the urge to get away despite the fact that you're chained to your desk, check out a relaxing, free webcam like the Monterey Bay Aquarium's, which gives you a stunning view of fish swimming amongst the kelp and algae, with relaxing sounds to accompany the images. Or, you can check out NASA's live Space Station video to really, really get away from it all. And, don't discount the healing power of laughter -- a few minutes checking out these funny animal videos could give you a whole new perspective on your day!

Of course, if you're looking to beat stress, why not rely on an app designed to do exactly that? Spend $0.99 on iStress for your iPhone to utilize an app featuring inspiration, encouragement, and humor, along with relaxation exercises and tips to help you manage your stress.


Got a favorite stress-relieving app that we missed? Be sure to tell us all about it in the comments below!

See more from Clever Girls Collective:
Great Gadgets for a Stress Free Roadtrip
How to Find Great Travel Deals Online
Turn Your Eye Toward iPhoneography
Creating Your Digital Camera Wishlist


======================================================================== Clever Girls Collective is a social media marketing agency founded by women who wanted to use their deep marketing experience and broad social network relationships for good. We know that women who engage in social media are some of the most authentic, connected, trusted, and vocal influencers -- not only online, but "in real life." That's why we've developed The Clever 1000: an ever-growing, beautifully diverse network of professional, thoughtful social media-connected, natural networkers and influencers who want to engage with and enhance their favorite brands. Kristen Seymour, a member of the Clever Girls Collective , is a freelance writer, blogger and editor based in Gainesville, Fla. She spends her days covering a variety of topics on sites such as Paw Nation, That's Fit, and BlogHer Style. She works from home, where she's assisted by two dogs and a cat, and although she considers herself quite tech-savvy, she's grateful to have a lovely husband who speaks fluent geek when she gets in over her head. You can follow Kristen on Twitter @kgseymour and read about her travels, insights and latest projects (like her budding photography obsession) at Jeez-o-petes.