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Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

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Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#131

Post by vanka »

rchaud wrote: post #98

Delete every recreational app on your phone. Also delete anything that gamifies passive consumption, e.g. Duolingo. Put some ebooks on your phone and read those. Stop mentally associating the phone with the infinite novelty generated by algorithmic social and YouTube feeds. Do not open your web browser unless you have a specific search query in mind. Disable all notifications except for the calendar and clock. Treat…

I try to use pencil and paper before getting on a computer. You stop thinking with images when you do this.

I was so distracted by other apps that I created an anti-to-do list application for myself (no features or notifications, etc.).

If somebody wants the simplest possible to-do list at the menu bar, I'm running a beta test right now; https://vanka.me/redline

Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#132

Post by finolex1 »

rchaud wrote: post #98

Delete every recreational app on your phone. Also delete anything that gamifies passive consumption, e.g. Duolingo. Put some ebooks on your phone and read those. Stop mentally associating the phone with the infinite novelty generated by algorithmic social and YouTube feeds. Do not open your web browser unless you have a specific search query in mind. Disable all notifications except for the calendar and clock. Treat…

Isn't Duolingo the exact opposite of passive consumption. It's virtually a spaced repetition app that requires you to answer questions.

Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#134

Post by thefourthchime »

valbaca wrote: post #123

These are my "good" apps: - Spotify: everyone loves music. Put it on speakerphone. Dance and sing silly while you cook. - Shazam: discover music. Exactly what apps ought to be. - Google Maps: Does what it does. - Google home: setting my lights to match the time of day / mood / or movie. - Google Authenticator: 2FA is good - "Justin Guitar", a simple guitar tuner, and a metronome app: I've been learning guitar - Duoli…

At least one iOS there is a built-in Shazam button in the control center if you enable it. It's a faster way to find out the song that's playing.

Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#135

Post by drited »

idoh wrote: post #96

Anki - jam everything into here. Various work facts, chess mate in X move puzzles, watched movie plots, every time I make a mistake I add it, etc. BrainHQ - train your brain every day, get sharper. I found out about it after reading that Tom Brady uses it to be a better QB. After using it for a couple weeks I could notice a difference.

Love anki. On the topic of brain training, an n-back app working memory training app. Evidence is mixed on whether it works. Anecdotally I've used it and think it worked for me. It's free to train, only cost is your time. I think the risk reward is in favour of trying it for 8 weeks.

Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#136

Post by hycaria »

UncleOxidant wrote: post #126
Konterstein wrote: post #118

There are no mentally healthy apps to have. You also have to enforce any rules you make and are always already in a fight that you cannot loose. The smartphone is net negative on mental health. I would only make arguments that you can get distracted really easily if you are too focused on something bad. Like today if you become a stalker you really need to be ill because there is so much distraction with the phone th…

If they're as bad as you're saying (and I'm not sure I disagree) then the answer would be to go back to a flip phone that only does calls and maybe has a camera.

Yeah it’s still pretty nice to have navigation

Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#138

Post by javajosh »

jnovek wrote: post #41
JKCalhoun wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Creative apps are healthy apps.

Procreate my well be the best value per dollar of anything I’ve purchased in my entire life measured in hours of joy and self-improvement it has provided.

Cool. It looks like KidPix for adults.

Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#139

Post by [deleted] »

idoh wrote: post #96

Anki - jam everything into here. Various work facts, chess mate in X move puzzles, watched movie plots, every time I make a mistake I add it, etc. BrainHQ - train your brain every day, get sharper. I found out about it after reading that Tom Brady uses it to be a better QB. After using it for a couple weeks I could notice a difference.

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What are some mentally healthy apps to have?

#140

Post by medo-bear »

NalNezumi wrote: post #68

Not apps but things that have helped me: * remove All notifications from non-message & Calendar apps. * condition everyone around you that you might not reply messages in time. (crucial to make above work) and ofc you have to follow that too. * (if you have the financial means) get another device without ANY distraction what so ever, ideally disconnected from the internet (except maybe syncing files) For me it is a e…

> condition everyone around you that you might not reply messages in time

i would add turning off read-receipts if possible in your message apps, as well as online notifications, and last seen

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