April is Stress Awareness Month, and we understand that seafarer life is already stressful without the added challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.

Long hours and time away from family can be isolating and anxiety inducing, so we have compiled a list of apps to support your physical and mental health while at sea and help keep stress at bay.

There are several apps available that are designed to help you switch off and relax. You will find something for everyone, from mood tracking and physical exercise to games to mindfulness.

Personal Zen: The app uses games for attention bias modification (ABM) to reduce a user’s tendency to focus on negative information and build resilience to stress and anxiety.

Anxiety Relief by Mind Ease: this app provides Instant Calm options, CBT, Reflective Writing and Tracking.

Stress Ball: this is a virtual stress ball with different features such as visuals, fidgeting and deep breathing.

Insight Timer: if you need to chill out, get some help to get to sleep or simply want to find a little calm in the storm there are thousands of short sessions in this app may help.

My Fitness Pal: This is a great way to make sure you are hitting food and fitness goals by keeping track of your nutrient intake and a log of physical activity from walking to a 15-minute HIIT workout.  My Fitness Pal is free and helps you breakdown your ingredients to help you get the right balance of nutrients your body needs each day.

Couch to 5k: If you are on a larger ship with a running track or treadmill, or maybe get a few hours on shore then you can use this app to start running.  Running is not just great for the body but also for the mind.

Spotify: Listen to your favourite music that reminds you of good times or just makes you feel great.

Audible: Audiobooks which you can download when you have WIFI.  You can listen to fiction, nonfiction, self-help, whatever takes your fancy and transports you away from the stress and anxiety.

Sometimes all it takes is to hear the voice of a loved one and keeping in touch has never been easier!

Social Media Apps: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok are the most popular ways to message publicly or privately and see what everyone back home is up to.

Messenger: WhatsApp and Messenger are both great ways to keep in touch with loved ones when on board and away from home, both are free apps that also offer video calling.

Video: Facetime, Zoom and House Party offer different ways to video call back home for a good old catch up, it’s always great to see someone you love when you really need a friendly face on the other side of the phone.

Clyde Marine Recruitment takes the stress out of job applications with a Digital Profile that allows you to apply with just the click of a button.  You can read all about Digital Profile’s here and browse our latest jobs here.