Mental health apps and diabetes: How they can help

Constant monitoring, blood glucose rollercoasters, and continuous worrying about one’s health and future—living with type 1 diabetes is tough. There is no embellishing it. Needless to say, the long-term stress of this level will have an impact on mental health at some point.

Unsurprisingly, rates of depression and anxiety disorders among diabetics are higher than among non-diabetics. According to diabetes.org.uk, “one in five people with type 1 diabetes are affected by moderate to severe depression symptoms”.

While it won’t be possible to make the constant monitoring and challenges with blood glucose levels disappear, what we can and should focus on are the worries and resulting stress. Technology can help us achieve this. Apps (mobile applications) specifically designed for mental health are fairly common nowadays, and there is a reason for that. After all, everyone experiences stress of some sort; however, some will simply feel it more heavily than others.

In the following, we will take a look at three different apps.

Headspace

Photo credit: Headspace

Headspace is a user-friendly mindfulness and meditation app designed to support mental well-being. The app offers:

• Guided meditation sessions: Tailored for various needs such as stress reduction, improved sleep, focus enhancement, and emotional balance.
• Easy navigation: The app provides a seamless and user-friendly interface for a hassle-free experience.
• Flexible options: Users can choose from short daily meditations or longer sessions, with specialised packs addressing specific situations like anxiety or relationships.
• Diverse features: In addition to guided meditations, Headspace includes mindful exercises, breathing activities, and soothing sleep sounds to enhance relaxation.

Calm

Photo credit: Calm

Calm is a versatile mindfulness app providing:

• Guided meditations: Tailored sessions for stress reduction, improved sleep, and emotional well-being.
• Soothing features: Relaxing nature sounds, sleep stories, and meditation music to enhance tranquility.
• Personalised plans: Customised meditation plans for users of all experience levels.
• Mindful exercises: Techniques for relaxation, breathing, and focus.

My Possible Self

Photo credit: My Possible Self

My Possible Self is an NHS-approved mental health app that includes key features such as:

• CBT techniques: Break down overwhelming problems into manageable parts across five areas – situations, thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, and actions.
• Daily tools: Navigate life challenges with in-the-moment activities, from changing habits to managing anxiety, tackling depression, improving sleep, and reducing stress.
• Positive reframing: Learn to transform negative thoughts into positive ones and track enjoyable activities.
• Self-reflection: Identify sources of anxiety, understand thinking traps, and gain insights for self-improvement.
• Relaxation and mindfulness: Calm your mind with relaxation exercises, guided meditations, yoga, massage, and grounding techniques. Establish good sleep habits for overall well-being.

Recognising and addressing mental health issues is essential for overall well-being. Open communication with healthcare professionals, friends, and family plays a crucial part. By leveraging tools such as the mental health apps presented in this article, we can take a further step towards enhancing our lives with diabetes.

We would love to hear if you’ve already had any experiences with mental health apps. Or maybe have any other helpful tools and tips to share.