It's okay not to feel okay all the time.
What even is self-care? Is it taking a moment to be grateful? Eating that piece of chocolate? Putting on the face mask? Getting to the gym? Letting go of toxic relationships? Looking at hot pictures of Prince Harry? Nine out of 10 people would say yes to all of the above, but actually allowing ourselves to practice self-care guilt-free is a lot easier said than done (thanks, millennial culture).
Now that you've taken the first step toward achieving self-care by opening this article, download any of the 12 apps, below, that will work their stress-reducing magic to help you feel your best. Because that's what self-care is really all about.
View this post on Instagram 😖 A post shared by Co – Star (@costarastrology) on Aug 9, 2019 at 2:14pm PDT
😖
A post shared by Co – Star (@costarastrology) on Aug 9, 2019 at 2:14pm PDT
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Sometimes all it takes is a little insight from the stars to shake off a bad mood. Co-Star's daily free personalized charts—which allow you to plug in your sun, moon and rising sign—can help you understand why you may be feeling stressed, and encourage some big-picture thinking. (Trust me, it gets deep.) You can also view your friends' charts once they accept you on the app.
View this post on Instagram I first went to the Philippines in 2016 and fell in love with the country and its people in a way I could not have imagined. The mix of east & west, the natural beauty of over seven thousand tropical islands and water so blue it looked almost unreal was something I’d never experienced and from then on the place played a big part of my life in more ways than one. I’m so happy to see more and more tourists going there and amazingly talented creators like @kayvanhuisseling (who got this shot) creating content that shows off the country and hope that if you haven’t been, you’ll add it to your bucket list soon 😎🇵🇭 A post shared by Jeremy Jauncey (@jeremyjauncey) on Aug 10, 2019 at 5:21am PDT
I first went to the Philippines in 2016 and fell in love with the country and its people in a way I could not have imagined. The mix of east & west, the natural beauty of over seven thousand tropical islands and water so blue it looked almost unreal was something I’d never experienced and from then on the place played a big part of my life in more ways than one. I’m so happy to see more and more tourists going there and amazingly talented creators like @kayvanhuisseling (who got this shot) creating content that shows off the country and hope that if you haven’t been, you’ll add it to your bucket list soon 😎🇵🇭
A post shared by Jeremy Jauncey (@jeremyjauncey) on Aug 10, 2019 at 5:21am PDT
Trouble sleeping? White Noise Lite provides you with relaxing white noise, which contains frequencies with equal intensities proven to help you sleep and soothe migraines or headaches. Think: rain or birds chirping. You can mix your own sounds on the no-fee app for a personalized touch, depending on what makes you feel most comfortable.
View this post on Instagram Happy Monday😊🌷🌷#tulips #spring #tulipanes🌷 #amsterdam#colorfull#love #thenetherlands A post shared by 🌷Tulip Tours Holland🌷 (@tuliptoursholland) on Aug 5, 2019 at 3:03am PDT
Happy Monday😊🌷🌷#tulips #spring #tulipanes🌷 #amsterdam#colorfull#love #thenetherlands
A post shared by 🌷Tulip Tours Holland🌷 (@tuliptoursholland) on Aug 5, 2019 at 3:03am PDT
When you need to remind yourself that better days are ahead, try heading to your local park and spending some time with nature. While you do that, download the free PictureThis plant identifier app to discover the gorgeous flowers and plants around you, and bring some of that happiness home with you. The botanical encyclopedia pinpoints nearly 30 million flowers, trees, succulents, cacti, mushrooms, herbs, shrubs, and grasses, so you're able to find the ones that spark joy.
View this post on Instagram Breathe in, breathe out. 🌬 A post shared by Headspace (@headspace) on Nov 15, 2018 at 6:15am PST
Breathe in, breathe out. 🌬
A post shared by Headspace (@headspace) on Nov 15, 2018 at 6:15am PST
Headspace guides meditation beginners through hundreds of mindfulness techniques to help you achieve the balance you've desperately been craving. No need to worry about having enough time for it—two- to three-minute meditations exist for when you need to pause and center yourself in the middle of a stressful work day. Subscriptions begin at $13 per month or $95 per year.
View this post on Instagram Take all the time you need. You’re on no one’s timeline but your own. 📸: @emilyorzel A post shared by Shine (@shinetext) on Nov 25, 2018 at 5:04pm PST
Take all the time you need. You’re on no one’s timeline but your own. 📸: @emilyorzel
A post shared by Shine (@shinetext) on Nov 25, 2018 at 5:04pm PST
Shine allows you to prioritize mental health by helping set personal growth goals, sending daily motivational texts, and providing "Shine talks" on everything from stress and anxiety to self-love to burnout. (Lookin' at you, 2020 election season.) It's like having your best friend in your pocket 24/7 reminding you how badass you are. Monthly subscriptions are $10 and yearly subscriptions are $54.
View this post on Instagram Just a stroll through the wondrous shelves at @exclusivebooks. Special thanks to our Goodreads employee @steph_watson07 for the lovely photo. A post shared by Goodreads (@goodreads) on Dec 30, 2018 at 10:05am PST
Just a stroll through the wondrous shelves at @exclusivebooks. Special thanks to our Goodreads employee @steph_watson07 for the lovely photo.
A post shared by Goodreads (@goodreads) on Dec 30, 2018 at 10:05am PST
Curling up with an amazing book is a great escape from reality, but you don't have to do it alone. Connect with the millions of Goodreads readers (for free!) who are reading the same book as you, asking each other questions or discussing that crazy plot twist.
You can also join Marie Claire's virtual book club, #ReadWithMC, to ensure you always have someone to read with. Follow Marie Claire on Goodreads here and learn more about #ReadWithMC here.
View this post on Instagram For all the make up lovers out there! A beautiful art painted by @arualiaa ! #coloringbook #colorfy #colorfyapp #getinspired #coloring #color A post shared by Colorfy (@colorfyapp) on Apr 5, 2017 at 1:26pm PDT
For all the make up lovers out there! A beautiful art painted by @arualiaa ! #coloringbook #colorfy #colorfyapp #getinspired #coloring #color
A post shared by Colorfy (@colorfyapp) on Apr 5, 2017 at 1:26pm PDT
Coloring book, but make it digital. Instead of bingeing that Netflix series you've re-watched twice already, crawl under the covers and open up the Colorfy app. It's super relaxing and the only thing you'll be worrying about is staying inside the lines. Once you're done, save it and print it out to add some new wall art to your room. Access the app with weekly ($3), monthly ($8), or annual ($40) subscriptions.
Ironically, there's an app to help you get off your phone and be more present. Moment tracks your phone usage, determining which apps you use the most (i.e. how much time you're spending scrolling through Twitter and Instagram in bed), and even offers coaching on how to reduce phone time—all for free. 2019, folks.
View this post on Instagram @lanadelrey dreams of a world without gun violence on new track 'Looking For America'. Released on Instagram, the songstress wrote the tune alongside friend and fellow musician @jackantonoff. Listen now on Amazon Music, and tell us what you think 💜 A post shared by Amazon Music (@amazonmusic) on Aug 13, 2019 at 9:00am PDT
@lanadelrey dreams of a world without gun violence on new track 'Looking For America'. Released on Instagram, the songstress wrote the tune alongside friend and fellow musician @jackantonoff. Listen now on Amazon Music, and tell us what you think 💜
A post shared by Amazon Music (@amazonmusic) on Aug 13, 2019 at 9:00am PDT
Sometimes self-care comes in the form of listening to your favorite artists on repeat. Plug in your headphones and open up Amazon Music to stream songs from the likes of Lana Del Rey and Frank Ocean who never fail to put everyone in their feels. Prime members can join for $7.99/month (non-Prime members pay $9.99/month) or $79/year.
View this post on Instagram Happy Hump Day! What self-care questions do you have for us? We'll be answering your Q's in the comments. Let's go! ❤️ // 📷 @hautletic #selfcaretips #mindfulness #betteryouin2019 A post shared by Five Minute Journal (@fiveminutejournal) on Jan 9, 2019 at 8:05am PST
Happy Hump Day! What self-care questions do you have for us? We'll be answering your Q's in the comments. Let's go! ❤️ // 📷 @hautletic #selfcaretips #mindfulness #betteryouin2019
A post shared by Five Minute Journal (@fiveminutejournal) on Jan 9, 2019 at 8:05am PST
Instead of fearing the tragic moment the musings in your Notes app accidentally get deleted, download the $5 Five Minute Journal app and start taking—you guessed it—five minutes out of your day to reflect and focus on the positive. It includes a timeline view to access all of your previous journal entries, daily inspiring quotes, and a one-photo-per-day tool to capture the feel-good moments, like sunsets and brunch...obviously!
View this post on Instagram What’s possible when you are feeling rested? A post shared by Calm (@calm) on Jan 7, 2019 at 2:38pm PST
What’s possible when you are feeling rested?
A post shared by Calm (@calm) on Jan 7, 2019 at 2:38pm PST
If the name didn't give it away, the free Calm app—equipped with Siri capabilities—helps people relax when dealing with stressful situations like consuming the never-ending news cycle or preparing for that upcoming job interview. It provides daily meditation, a sleep timer that will play calming music until you drift off, and masterclasses on topics including how to fuel your creativity without fear by best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert.
View this post on Instagram when you schedule a morning class that's a little too ambitious @nameglo A post shared by ClassPass (@classpass) on Dec 14, 2018 at 11:00am PST
when you schedule a morning class that's a little too ambitious @nameglo
A post shared by ClassPass (@classpass) on Dec 14, 2018 at 11:00am PST
When many people think of self-care, they think of doing something great for their bodies, like exercising. With the free ClassPass app, you can book group fitness classes in your area, like yoga and boxing, to boost those endorphins. *Insert Legally Blonde reference here.* After you finish the class, go home and put a face mask on. You deserve it.
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