Do you feel like you’re constantly stressed, overwhelmed, or feeling out of balance? If so, there may be a solution for you: GPS for the Soul. This free app was created by Arianna Huffington and her team at the Huffington Post. It is available for both iOS and Android. GPS for the Soul was created based on two “truths”: 1. We all have inner harmony, and 2. We’ve veered away from it. This app will help you return to balance either with a pre-set guide or a guide you create yourself. Try this app to reestablish your inner harmony and become more in tune with yourself.
How it works
Once you download the app, it is ready to use immediately. There is no registration or login required. You’ll see three options on the main screen to choose from: “Find a Guide,” “Create a Guide,” and “Meditate.” The guides are the main focus of the app. They serve to inspire you to relax, recharge and reframe your thoughts. Each guide has a different theme. If you select one of the preset guides, you’ll find a slow slideshow with pretty images, inspirational quotes and background music. Follow the guide as long as you like. You can also make your own guide from pictures on your device. Using the meditation feature allows you to time your meditations as well as set reminders for when you’d like to meditate.
The guides aren’t the only tools to help you find balance. You can also swipe to the left to access different features of the app. These features include articles, a list of the guides, yoga, meditations, and breathing exercises. The yoga tab has videos and information about yoga as well as different routines for stress relief. The meditation tab provides a suggested list of guides for meditating, articles, and guided meditations. Similarly, the breathing exercises tab provides you with various examples of breathing exercises to try.
Pros
- The background of the app is very serene. It looks like a moving image of the northern lights or aurora borealis.
- The app features a variety of resources including articles, slideshows and videos that can be appealing to different types of learners.
- The yoga videos and deep breathing exercises are great features of the app. They’re informative and led by credible sources and experts—for example, Thich Nhat Hanh.
- It is a very visually appealing and overall simple app to guide you on your quest for balance.
- It provides an extensive amount of information for almost any type of stressor.
- You can save your favorite guides, articles, videos, etc. for easy access if there are some that you find particularly helpful, but don’t want to have to search for when needed.
Cons
- The meditation feature does not include a bell or sound to signal the end of the session. It does make a very soft vibration, but it may be difficult to detect.
- There should be more explanation to the guides. It is unclear whether you’re supposed to just sit and watch the slide show (which seems a little counterintuitive to relaxing) or meditate on the phrases. However, the speed of the show and having to read the quotes makes it difficult to meditate on them.
- The music the app creators chose to include may not be appealing or relaxing for everyone. It would be a neat feature if users were able to use their own music when creating guides.
Consensus
If you’re looking to get more in tune with your inner self or begin a spiritual journey, this app can help you get started. The app provides a lot of information in an easy-to-use format. It has something for every type of learner, whether you’re more visual, auditory, or enjoy both.
For Health Advocate Members
If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to wellness coaches through our Wellness Program, connect with a Wellness Coach today to learn more ways to reduce your stress and improve your well-being.
