In the age of technological advancements, everything is at our fingertips from mental health triggers to mental wellness tools. When we think of cell phones in regards to mental health the common debates arise about social media, negative body images, and cyber bullying leading to high levels of anxiety and depression. And these are all serious issues that have made a huge negative impact on mental health. Cell phones even add stressors we are not consciously aware of. The instant our phone makes a noise, our brain waves are altered and our stress response can be triggered, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and fast wave brain activity. But cell phones don’t have to be this constant trigger if we learn how to utilize them for our mental wellness and avoid exposure to those negative triggers.
Learning techniques to avoid these triggers can have a huge impact, even from a small change. Things like setting your phone to sleep mode at night, to avoid your phone interrupting your crucial restorative sleep, can make a hugely felt difference in your energy and mental clarity during the day. But it doesn’t have to be simply a lack of triggers, there are many active mental wellness tools available for your cell phones if you know where to look. Countless apps have arisen over recent years that incorporate breathing, mindfulness, and meditation techniques to help you combat anxiety, depression and stress wherever you are. One great advantage of that is you can use the app during a trigger episode, wherever and whenever you find yourself. You can use the app in preparation for exposure to a trigger, for instance doing a guided breathing meditation before walking into a job interview or to give a presentation.
One such app that many have found huge benefits from is Neurocycle, from Dr. Leaf. Dr. Leaf has developed a 5 step cycle of training done over 63 days that is specifically designed to combat stress, anxiety, depression, and toxic thinking; consisting of gathering, reflecting, writing, rechecking, and active reaching. The goal is to “find the root of the toxic thought and habit that is causing mental health issues[,] reconceptualize the root[, and] rebuild a healthy new thought pattern and habit to change behavior.” Each cycle is a 63 day, daily training course using guided audio and videos paired with “brain exercises and mind management lessons.” It is geared towards helping anyone and provides personalized feedback and recommendations based on your unique experience. With scientifically supported results and ease of access, Neurocycle is growing quickly with over 500,000 users worldwide. And this is just one of countless apps and mobile tools available for mental wellness. The more modalities working towards mental wellness, the quicker results will be seen, so these apps are encouraged as “homework” between neurofeedback, biofeedback, and counseling sessions. Speak with one of our licensed professionals today to see what might be the best fit for you.
References
Neurocycle App (Available on Apple, Google Play and online). (n.d.). Dr. Leaf. Retrieved January 8, 2024, from https://drleaf.com/products/neurocycle-app
