The new year is in full swing, folks are finally settled back into their workflow and calendars are quickly filling up. To make sure we stay sane amidst the flurry, it’s always best to take a step to the side and reset. While most of us are familiar with the standard recos for unwinding--like unplugging at least a half hour before going to bed or stepping away from your desk every now and then to walk around the office (or even better, outside!)--having additional help never hurts. To help you maintain an element of zen, we’ve rounded up some handy apps that won’t break the bank, only the stress.

Speaking of stress, please join us this 4/7 for some much-needed yoga and meditation seminars at this year's Women in Music Festival! Tickets and more information here. 

Headspace

Looking to meditate but don’t know where to start? Check out Headspace, an app designed to take you through simple, daily exercises to de-stress and restore your balance. An added benefit of feeling at ease? Better sleep, which we know makes you perform better.

Headspace starts off with a free Basics course, curated to teach you the essentials of meditation and mindfulness. From there, you can subscribe for more daily activities as you continue your restorative journey. All you have to do is sit back (spine straight), tap the app, and exhale. *Woosah*

Available at the App Store and Google Play. $7.99 a month/12 months.

Calm

Similar to Headspace, Calm is an app designed to help you perfect the art of mindfulness so that you can go about life with a little more ease, and rest better. The app has courses for users of all levels, whether you’re just starting out or have been on a journey to break habits and live in gratitude for some time. There are several lengths to choose from, ensuring you find a session that fits in with your schedule.

With 60+ sleep stories, 30+ soothing nature sounds, and music developed specifically to address your needs, from focusing to relaxing, your gateway to calmness is just a tap away.

Available on both the App Store and Google Play. $4.99 a month/12 months.

notOK

Sometimes stepping away and taking a break is not enough. Often when commitments arise, be it work, familial, or social, it is easy to push aside our wellness to grapple with it all. But there are times when the shuffle isn’t enough and for those that deal with conditions such as depression or anxiety, it can start to take a toll.

notOK was created so that users could notify pre-selected contacts immediately when they need help, all with the press of a button. With the app, people can now let their close ones know not only their current mental state, but also their location so that someone can find them in-person if needed. Sometimes taking a little R&R is all you need. But sometimes you need extra reinforcement and may not know how to ask. And that’s ok.

Available on both the App Store and Google Play. $2.99/month.