Self-help tools and apps for wellbeing
Wellbeing > Self-help tools and apps for wellbeing
This is a list of self-help resources and apps that can support your wellbeing:
General wellbeing guides
NHS Every Mind Matters – Your Mind Plan: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/
NHS – 5 steps to mental wellbeing: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
NHS mental wellbeing audio guides: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/moodzone-mental-wellbeing-audio-guides/
Mind – How to be More Resilient: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/stress/developing-resilience/
Mind – Relaxation tips: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/relaxation/relaxation-tips/
MIND – Where to start with getting support: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/
Cruse – Coping with grief: https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/about-grief
Self-help books
These books are designed so that you can read and work through the exercises on your own to tackle a range of problems. However, you might find it also helpful to go through the guide in a group setting or with a family or friend who you can talk things through with.
Overcoming series
This books in this bestselling series tackle a wide range of health conditions largely using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques, while sometimes drawing on other approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Here is a selection:
- Overcoming Anxiety – Helen Kennerly
- Overcoming Chronic Fatigue – Mary Burgess & Trudie Chalder
- Overcoming Chronic Pain – Frances Cole, Helen Macdonald & Catherine Carus
- Overcoming Low Self-Esteem – Melanie Fennell
- Overcoming Depression – Paul Gilbert
The full set of books can be viewed here.
Manage Your Mind – Gillian Butler, Nick Grey, and Tony Hope
This is a book for building resilience, overcoming emotional difficulties and enabling self-development. It’s not just for those living with existing mental health problems but can be of use to anyone. The latest version of the book includes chapters on newer therapeutic approaches such as mindfulness and acceptance therapy.
More information on the book can be found here.
Pacing for people with ME
https://www.actionforme.org.uk/uploads/pdfs/Pacing-for-people-with-me-booklet-Feb-2020.pdf
- A detailed guide to managing energy, rest and activity for adults with mild/moderate M.E.
- Based on the practical experience and clinical practice of healthcare professionals and therapists, and the feedback Action for M.E. has received from people with M.E.
Apps
General wellbeing
- Feeling good: positive mindset – A series of audio tracks that can help you relax and practise mindfulness
- Sleepio – an online sleep programme that is free in some areas
- SleepStation – a 6-week sleep course with access to a team of sleep experts
- HeadSpace – a very popular app with a number of meditation tracks to help you relax and get to sleep.
Anxiety & Depression
- Stress & Anxiety Companion – breathing exercises, relaxing music and games to help with anxiety
- WorryTree – record and manage the things that are worrying you, and create an action plan.
- Beat Panic – an app designed to help you overcome panic attacks
- My Possible Self – learn how to manage fear, anxiety and stress
- Silver Cloud – offers eight-week courses to complete yourself on topics such as stress, anxiety and depression
- Catch It – an app that helps you reassess negative thoughts and look at problems in a different way
Self-harm & suicidal thoughts
- Calm Harm – provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm.
- BlueIce – a self-harm app designed for young people
- distrACT – easy access to advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts
Connect to therapy
- ieso – an app that allows you to instant message qualified therapists
- Togetherall – secure mental health forum and the ability to have one-on-one or group sessions with therapists
Would you like to talk through your options with someone?
Our team at the Guideposts Information Service can support you over the phone.
Call or email us on 0800 048 7035, or at [email protected]