Issue #34: The 4 Apps That I Use Daily To Prioritize Rest

Because, yes, even technology can also be used for good.

Jun 21, 2023

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Happy Wednesday Friend!

When it comes to rest, like many of you, I struggle with allowing myself to sit and do nothing. Sure, I binge-watch TV and of course nap but during the times when I just want to sit in silence and disconnect from work, I find myself feeling fidgety and itching to do something that feels “productive.”

I’m not sure if it’s my inner workaholic trying its best to force me back to my to-do list or possibly undiagnosed ADHD, but my brain will often not allow me to sit and do nothing without slowly creeping back into work or scrolling through TikTok.

A few months ago I treated myself to a shiny, new lavender iPad Air. While I thought it would be yet another Apple product that would eventually collect dust, I have fallen completely in love with it. It has become an essential tool for not only work but my self-care routine as well.

I know that technology or using yet another screen doesn’t really sound like it should be used to rest, but I believe technology can be really beneficial when used correctly.

Here are the apps that not only hold my attention but also help me to prioritize rest.

LAKE

Lake is a coloring app that helps you to unwind and relax through the power of creativity. I LOVE TO COLOR and believe that it is therapeutic. But as much as I love a traditional coloring book, they are not always easily accessible if I’m not home. Not to mention I don’t always have the patience to track down the crayons that my toddler has stolen. LAKE allows me to color anywhere and I also love that all of their coloring books are created by indie artists.

PROCREATE

I obviously enjoy using creativity as a form of rest because I have been knee-deep in learning how to draw on Procreate. Simply put, Procreate is an app that a lot of artists and graphic designers use to create digital art. I don’t think that becoming an artist will be my next career pivot but I have found so much joy in learning a new skill and watching my little doodles come to life. By the way, I share #ADoodleADay on Instagram.

SCRIBD

I used to be able to fly through books easily. But as of late, if it comes down to reading a book or going to bed, I’m always going to choose sleep. But I do miss reading a lot! That’s where Scribd comes in. Scribd is an e-book and audiobook subscription service with millions of titles. I love this app so much because it’s really affordable for unlimited books and because I can easily listen to a book anywhere without having to carry it around in my bag.

PELOTON

I know that you have heard about Peloton before so I won’t go into detail. I don’t currently own the Peloton equipment but I do use the app mainly for barre and meditations. I am not one of those people who can easily meditate on their own, so I really lean on this app to strengthen my meditation muscle. Meditation is more than just about resting for me, it’s one of my favorite ways to regulate my nervous system when I am feeling anxious. I’ve even incorporated meditation into my four-year-olds bedtime routine.

Let me also mention that rest can look different for everyone. We’ll actually be digging more into what rest is in the upcoming weeks. For you, rest may look like sitting in silence with no screens. Or maybe you’re like me and need a little help to keep your mind focused on relaxing. I encourage you to try a few different things to figure out what your sweet spot is and keep doing what works for you!

Let me know in the comments, what does rest look like for you?