Did you know that unmanaged stress can affect your overall well-being? Over time, uncontrolled stress levels can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, depression, substance use and more. That’s why VA integrates stress management tools into so many of our programs and resources, including our mobile apps.
During April Stress Awareness Month, check out these free VA apps that offer stress management tools to help you take care of yourself.
Mindfulness Coach
The Mindfulness Coach app teaches you how to create a simple mindfulness practice. Mindfulness means noticing and paying attention to what is happening in the present moment, without judging it. Mindfulness has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, improving emotional balance, helping with anxiety and depression, and coping more effectively with chronic pain.
The Mindfulness Coach app offers a self-guided workout program that includes 12 audio-guided mindfulness exercises and a catalog of additional free-to-download exercises.
PTSD Coach was originally launched in 2011 to help veterans manage acute stress wherever and whenever it strikes. Today, the app is hugely popular with veterans, and its recent updates include many new tools and resources to help manage PTSD symptoms. You can use PTSD Coach to perform a PTSD self-assessment, track symptoms, and learn relaxation techniques.
It offers tools to manage the stresses of everyday life, including guided relaxation exercises, soothing sounds and images, relationship advice and more.
The PTSD Family Coach app was launched in 2016 to help family members of people living with PTSD. It’s also been modernized with over 30 tools that can help you manage stress, take care of yourself, and take care of your relationships. These include mindfulness exercises, tools to help rebuild social networks, tools to help with difficult thoughts and feelings, stress level tracking and more.
The COVID Coach app was developed at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to help anyone improve their overall mental health during difficult times. It’s one of VA’s most comprehensive self-care mobile apps, and it’s a great resource to have in your pocket for any situation you’re concerned about.
The app features a comprehensive Manage Stress section that compiles all of VA’s best stress management tools, from deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation exercises to strategies for strengthening relationships and improving sleep.
VetChange
The VetChange app is designed to help anyone concerned about their alcohol consumption and wanting to cut down or stop drinking. You’ll understand how your drinking relates to different moods and situations, learn about drinking and post-traumatic stress, and track your progress.
VetChange offers a Tools menu with over a dozen categories of interactive tools and strategies for managing alcohol-related stress and cravings.
Annie is an automated VA text messaging service that empowers veterans to take an active role in their care. Messages you receive from Annie may include medication reminders, stress reduction tips and more. The Stress Management Messages subscription sends weekly motivational texts to help you be more mindful, learn relaxation techniques, and better manage stress.
Registration is required to start Annie’s messages. Find the instructions on the App Store VA then subscribe by texting SUB STRESS to Annie (75338).
VA apps are not intended to replace therapy, suicide prevention, or crisis intervention services. Talk with your VA healthcare team if you think stress is harming your health.
If you need immediate attention, the Crisis Line for Veterans offers confidential assistance 24/7 (dial 988, then press 1).