Digital Tools to Keep Yourself on the Right Track!

Hi everyone, Brendan here. This week, I want to revisit a topic close to my heart. As someone on the autism spectrum, I often face challenges with executive functioning— the skills and knowledge that one gathers through life in order to function, from morning routines to workplace habits.

With my condition, managing those routines can be difficult, and I rely on additional support. While my personal experience is unique, this struggle resonates with many others, including those dealing with depression, anxiety, or traumatic brain injuries. Today, I’d like to share some tools I use to stay on track, which leverage this approach. These tools can help anyone looking to enhance their routines, better themselves or adopt new habits, and I hope you find them as helpful as I have.

Finch

The first tool I wanted to talk about is one of my personal favorites, and one that has had a profound impact on me: Finch. It melds the basic concept of a daily checklist with a gamified interaction with your personal bird, a little character who you create and support as they support you in turn. It incentivizes the completion of daily tasks by using their completion to give the bird energy as it travels on adventures, after which it returns with items to decorate a digital home and eventually grow up.

I've read posts from those who are very much emotionally attached to these critters, and it's not difficult to see why, considering how they grow as a consequence of your own self-improvement. It's like the combination of a therapist and Tamagotchi, only with even more cute hats, if you're into that sort of thing! I heartily recommend this app not only for children, but also for adults who need that extra incentive to complete things like hygiene routines. In a previous blog, I discussed "gamifying" aspects of life and work as a strategy for building routines; Finch is the logical endpoint of that perspective.

There's also tools teaching a number of breathing exercises based on how you're feeling, and occasionally your bird will send you little messages (notifications) of support if you so choose, which can be quite helpful!

Here's the link to the Finch website: https://finchcare.com/

Headspace

This is one you may have seen advertisements for on television or online! There's definitely more to it, though. Headspace is described in its taglines as a meditation app, which is true, but it also provides a variety of "sleep sounds"-- audio landscapes that can be played when laying down to rest in order to soothe an anxious mind. As someone whose mind usually races at some multiple of the speed of light, I often use ambience to tone things down so that I can sleep, and Headspace is an excellent and well-curated source for exactly that kind of audio. You may have heard of ASMR before; this is definitely related! 

We all know that sleep is an important part of keeping ourselves healthy, and using tools like Headspace's ambience (as well as its guided meditations) can help reduce the stress that interferes with restful sleep. The Headspace website has a comprehensive list of blogs and other content going into the details on this, as well as additional support for a variety of mental concerns like anxiety. Through its extensive library of media and tools, one can easily create a system of support that works best for them. 

Here's the link to the Headspace website: https://www.headspace.com/

Shine

This app is really something special, and though I don't use it myself, I wanted to share it because I believe in its mission and impact. Shine is an app created for and staffed by people of color, and it's meant to assist in overcoming some of the unique challenges that BIPOC face in our world. From everything I've read, it's an incredible asset. 

Here's the link to the Shine website: https://www.theshineapp.com/

MindApps

This isn't a single application, but I know that my perspective is limited by my own experiences. That's why the folks over at Harvard developed MindApps, a service that focuses purely on applications that foster the betterment of mental and physical health. Functioning not unlike the App or Google Play Stores, this site allows you to search for different apps that meet your requirements and needs. It's a wonderful index, and if you feel like the apps I've discussed may not be for you, or if you're looking for additional resources, I believe it's the best place to turn. 

Here's the link to the MindApps site: https://mindapps.org/

There are a lot more resources out there to provide information and support than some may realize. As someone who has struggled with those feelings for many years, I want people to know that they're not alone out there, and that there are folks who understand and have created tools to help.

There is reason for hope, no matter what anyone says, and I have faith in the ability of every person no matter their struggles to accomplish greatness. If you end up trying out one of these apps, let us know in the comments-- we're not sponsored by any of them or anything like that, promise! Anyways, have a great weekend, everyone, and thanks for reading. This is Brendan, signing off for now.