We spend a lot of time on our phones, whether that be for communication, social media, or using apps. There are millions of useful applications to help navigate our daily lives. Although sometimes our phones can have a negative effect on mental health (e.g., spending excessive amounts of time on social media), they can also be a great tool to get guidance on maintaining well-being through wellness apps. There are several that can help you keep track of mental health, practice mindfulness, and encourage healthy habits. Many of these are free, but some may ask for a monthly subscription for certain features.
If you don't spend a lot of time on your phone and prefer to read, or want to get into reading during your study breaks, we also provided some titles that may be helpful for you. These can be read or listened to as audiobooks, whichever works best for you!
Here are some examples of a tiny fraction of the thousands of wellness apps & books that may be useful to you.
UCSB Mental Health Peers suggest that some of these apps & books may be beneficial based on the information provided, and that they are not partnered with or affiliated with any of them.
If you don't spend a lot of time on your phone and prefer to read, or want to get into reading during your study breaks, we also provided some titles that may be helpful for you. These can be read or listened to as audiobooks, whichever works best for you!
Here are some examples of a tiny fraction of the thousands of wellness apps & books that may be useful to you.
UCSB Mental Health Peers suggest that some of these apps & books may be beneficial based on the information provided, and that they are not partnered with or affiliated with any of them.
Journaling for Mental Health
Reflectly - A Journal for Happiness
“Reflectly is a journal utilizing artificial intelligence to help you structure and reflect upon your daily thoughts and problems.”
Reflectly
Wellnest
“By integrating the most effective aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness apps (e.g. Headspace) and traditional journaling, the Wellnest team created a uniquely powerful mobile wellness tool.”
Wellnest
Day One– Daily Journal and Diary
“The journal that redefines journaling and goes with you everywhere without the risk of going anywhere.”
Day One
“Reflectly is a journal utilizing artificial intelligence to help you structure and reflect upon your daily thoughts and problems.”
Reflectly
Wellnest
“By integrating the most effective aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness apps (e.g. Headspace) and traditional journaling, the Wellnest team created a uniquely powerful mobile wellness tool.”
Wellnest
Day One– Daily Journal and Diary
“The journal that redefines journaling and goes with you everywhere without the risk of going anywhere.”
Day One
Meditation and Mindfulness
Headspace
“Headspace is here to give you the tools and resources to look after your mind.”
There are 10 free introductory courses available, but a premium subscription is required for more specific courses. 85% off Headspace Plus for college students.
Headspace
Meditopia
“Meditopia is the leading app that helps you to get calm, reduce stress, sleep well, love, find peace, and start a deep discovery within yourself.”
Meditopia
Aura
“Aura is the world's most personalized wellness app that provides you with thousands of wellness tracks for when you are stressed, anxious, great, or having trouble sleeping."
Free 6 months of Aura when you create an account using your UCSB email and redeem the code "UCSB" at the link
Aura
“Headspace is here to give you the tools and resources to look after your mind.”
There are 10 free introductory courses available, but a premium subscription is required for more specific courses. 85% off Headspace Plus for college students.
Headspace
Meditopia
“Meditopia is the leading app that helps you to get calm, reduce stress, sleep well, love, find peace, and start a deep discovery within yourself.”
Meditopia
Aura
“Aura is the world's most personalized wellness app that provides you with thousands of wellness tracks for when you are stressed, anxious, great, or having trouble sleeping."
Free 6 months of Aura when you create an account using your UCSB email and redeem the code "UCSB" at the link
Aura
Mental Health and Self-care
My Possible Self
“My Possible Self uses clinically recognised content, created in partnership with world-leading experts at Priory Healthcare, to help patients improve their mental health. Interactive tools and techniques, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), have been customised for digital use. The app features six guided series and many tools and techniques.”
My Possible Self
I Am– Daily Affirmations
“Build self-love, nurture self-confidence, and manifest your desires with I Am.”
I Am - Daily Affirmations
Mindshift CBT
“MindShift® CBT is designed to empower individuals in managing anxiety through evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies. Whether you're dealing with stress, social anxiety, or panic, we offer tools and resources tailored to your needs.”
Mindshift CBT - Anxiety Relief
The Happiness Advantage by Shaun Achor (BOOK)
New York Times Bestselling Author Shaun Achor reveals how rewiring our brains for happiness helps us achieve more in our careers, relationships, and as students, leaders, and parents—a must-read for anyone wishing to flourish in a world of increasing stress and negativity.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz (BOOK)
The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.
“My Possible Self uses clinically recognised content, created in partnership with world-leading experts at Priory Healthcare, to help patients improve their mental health. Interactive tools and techniques, using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), have been customised for digital use. The app features six guided series and many tools and techniques.”
My Possible Self
I Am– Daily Affirmations
“Build self-love, nurture self-confidence, and manifest your desires with I Am.”
I Am - Daily Affirmations
Mindshift CBT
“MindShift® CBT is designed to empower individuals in managing anxiety through evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) strategies. Whether you're dealing with stress, social anxiety, or panic, we offer tools and resources tailored to your needs.”
Mindshift CBT - Anxiety Relief
The Happiness Advantage by Shaun Achor (BOOK)
New York Times Bestselling Author Shaun Achor reveals how rewiring our brains for happiness helps us achieve more in our careers, relationships, and as students, leaders, and parents—a must-read for anyone wishing to flourish in a world of increasing stress and negativity.
The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Don Miguel Ruiz (BOOK)
The Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives to a new experience of freedom, true happiness, and love.
Habit Improvements
Sessions - Activity Tracker and Habit Timer
“It's time to reconnect with your focus, flow, and creativity. Sessions are personalized timers for all your favorite activities you want to make into habits.”
Sessions - Activity Tracker and Habit Timer
Atomic Habits by James Clear (BOOK)
"Packed with evidence-based self-improvement strategies, Atomic Habits will teach you how to design habits that work for you rather than against you."
“It's time to reconnect with your focus, flow, and creativity. Sessions are personalized timers for all your favorite activities you want to make into habits.”
Sessions - Activity Tracker and Habit Timer
Atomic Habits by James Clear (BOOK)
"Packed with evidence-based self-improvement strategies, Atomic Habits will teach you how to design habits that work for you rather than against you."
Sleep
Sleep Cycle
“Sleep Cycle tracks and analyzes your sleep, waking you up at the perfect time, feeling rested.”
Sleep Cycle
Relax Melodies - Sleep Sounds
It can be hard to relax before hitting the sack. Relax Melodies sleep app allows you to combine sounds and melodies with guided meditation and brainwave beats to help you unwind and ease into sleep.
Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds App
“Sleep Cycle tracks and analyzes your sleep, waking you up at the perfect time, feeling rested.”
Sleep Cycle
Relax Melodies - Sleep Sounds
It can be hard to relax before hitting the sack. Relax Melodies sleep app allows you to combine sounds and melodies with guided meditation and brainwave beats to help you unwind and ease into sleep.
Relax Melodies: Sleep Sounds App
De-stress
Sanity and Self - Stress Relief
“Hundreds of healing mindfulness sessions to melt tension away PLUS self-discovery, relationships, sleep, productivity & more. Text directly with an expert of your choice to gain understanding and feel whole again. Connect with real experts to help you unpack what’s going on, act with confidence, & feel better.”
Sanity & Self
The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It by Kelly McGonigal, PhD (BOOK)
"Both practical and life-changing, The Upside of Stress is not a guide to getting rid of stress, but a toolkit for getting better at it—by understanding, accepting, and leveraging it to your advantage."
“Hundreds of healing mindfulness sessions to melt tension away PLUS self-discovery, relationships, sleep, productivity & more. Text directly with an expert of your choice to gain understanding and feel whole again. Connect with real experts to help you unpack what’s going on, act with confidence, & feel better.”
Sanity & Self
The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good at It by Kelly McGonigal, PhD (BOOK)
"Both practical and life-changing, The Upside of Stress is not a guide to getting rid of stress, but a toolkit for getting better at it—by understanding, accepting, and leveraging it to your advantage."
MHP Self Care BINGO
Our Self-Care Bingo is designed to make caring for yourself feel simple, enjoyable, and doable. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by “doing it all,” you can focus on small, meaningful actions—one square at a time. Choose activities that fit your day, your energy level, and your needs, and mark them off as you go.
Using the Bingo Card regularly helps turn self-care into a natural part of your routine. By mixing variety, play, and intention, it encourages consistency without pressure and helps you discover what truly supports your well-being. There’s no right or wrong way to play—just show up for yourself, however you can.
Using the Bingo Card regularly helps turn self-care into a natural part of your routine. By mixing variety, play, and intention, it encourages consistency without pressure and helps you discover what truly supports your well-being. There’s no right or wrong way to play—just show up for yourself, however you can.
