Calm Your Nerves with the Calm App!

Introducing Calm App – The Calmest App in the World

Since there’s no denying that cell phones have become some sort of a weird hand appendage and are nearly impossible to let go of, we might as well get over it and use them in a productive way. Sure, you can do regular digital detoxes, but you cannot get rid of your phone. But did you know that phone usage increases anxiety? They also impinge on academic performance and personal relationships, which, guess what, adds more to your existing angst.

What can you do about this?

Well, you can try to include more mindfulness in your life. Here’s the thing: you probably belong to that generation that has seen the rise of cell phones and entertainment apps or has been with them since the early years. If you’re in the former group, drastic cell phone use adds to the base stress level you built before. If the latter, welp, you’ve been exposed to this anxiety-inducing practice much earlier. And there is a third group – the no-social-media camp. If you’re in there, I applaud you; you have truly defeated the fear of missing out.

No matter which group you belong to, a change, in the words of Cheryl Crow, would do you good. We’ve talked about Headspace before, and today we’re introducing another star performer – the Calm app, which offers some of the best meditation and breathing relaxation techniques for beginners and advanced gurus alike.

Just a Very Calm Meditation App

Often called the world’s happiest app, Calm has been on the market for several years and has won a good deal of prizes to confirm its monumental status in the online software world. You know how these apps come and go – just remember the Pokémon GO! hype all those years ago – but Calm has solidified its status as a meditation app that really works.

The app is available on Android, iOS, and web browsers, and the first thing you’ll notice when you open it is the sound of the sea. A susurrating hum of waves washing over the shore. As you take in the blue background of the interface, other features materialise, offering a series of calming options.

The app is mainly intended as a guided meditation software that helps you calm your nerves, increase body awareness, and assuage strong emotions. There are different categories, including work, movement, home settings, soothing ambience background sounds, relaxing music, and snippets of wisdom. For example, since you’re a student and may even have a job, you’ll probably be interested in the ‘work’ branch of the Calm app. There you will find guided meditation to boost your motivation, improve your mindset, and even help you alleviate the tech neck – the one making you look like a camel when you’re in front of a screen.

The app is pretty straightforward to use – you choose a category from the sidebar and pick a meditation recording to listen to. There are some additional tags that can help you narrow down your search. The meditation is guided by certified experts, so you’re always sure you’re listening to quality content. 

Using Calm App for Sleep

Apart from work and daily life, Calm focuses on improving the quality of your sleep. As we know, putting the phone down before bed is hard, but this little buddy might just be the right way to use it and benefit from it. The sleep section of the app covers a wide range of topics, including guided meditation to help you unwind in the evening and bedtime stories.

The stories vary in length – anywhere between 25 and 40 minutes (depending on how much you DON’T want to sleep) and are structured and crafted in such a way that is intended to make you feel good. What I particularly love about these little charmers is that they tend to be set in far-off places, exploring different cultures and traditions, transporting you into a wonderful new world. For example, ‘The Festival of the First Moon’ tells a story about traditional Chinese festivities held in Autumn. Just the thought of yellowing leaves, cosy warm clothes, and cinnamon-scented air are enough to make anyone smile and relax. If you add a moon cake to that – YUMMY!

 

Best Stories on Calm App

It’s tough to pick the best stories on the app since they cater to various preferences and tastes, but I’m biased towards stories told by famous voices. Yes, you read that right – the app makers have enlisted some of the most beloved celebrities and storytellers to help you fall asleep faster. Stephen Fry, LeBron James, Harry Styles, and Lucy Liu are only some of the famous names you’ll find scrolling through the app.

If I had to choose a fave (apart from Lucy Liu’s ‘The Festival of the First Moon’ – see how I cheated up there), I would … well, I wouldn’t – who can pick only one? Still, I highly recommend ‘Journey to the Stars’ with LeVar Burton and ‘A Very Proper Tea Party’ with Madame Mary Berry.

It would also be silly not to mention ‘Painting with Bob Ross’ – I mean, what can induce more happiness than that?

Where Does Calm App’s Music Come From?

There is a musical category on the Calm app, comprising a series of songs and soundscapes that aid stress reduction. It is well-known that music can boost your mood, motivate you to work, help you study, and get you through a sweaty gym session. All of these faculties already contribute to achieving a calm state of mind, but what happens when experts collect some of the best calming songs on the market and put them into a playlist for you?

Some more celebrated voices, that’s what. Listen to Alanis Morissette, Katy Perry, and Steven Cravis, and don’t be afraid to explore new artists as they lilt their poignant or love-struck lyrics. You might find a new favourite!

Of course, one has to mention ambience sounds too. Have you ever felt like listening to the soothing sound of rain pattering on the windows, hearing Icelandic landscapes, or immersing in a city bustle? The Calm app has it all – all you need to do is press play, and you’ll find yourself in another world.

Calm App for Teachers and Kids

Every parent is a teacher in a way, from social skills to manners to helping with schoolwork. Every parent also knows that teaching something to their child is not always a linear process. Now think about what it’s like for teachers who regularly work with 20–30 kids. I say, teachers are severely underpaid!

Whether you need to relax as a parent or teacher or seek help with calming hyperactive children, you’ll find it all in a separate category of the app. This section is specifically curated to foster positive emotions and reinforce good behaviour in the sense of sharing, being tolerant, and finding good ways to express negative feelings (instead of tantrums and fights). Plus, they are very engaging for children.

Calm also has a school-friendly free option, which teachers can easily incorporate into their learning plan. No massive stress here – if you notice your class is getting restless, take a break and listen to some quick recovery stories to help you all calm down and progress without disruptions.

 

Is Calm App Free to Use?

Unfortunately, no. Basic membership covers only introductory meditations, tutorials, and trailers of what’s available to paying customers.

There is a two-week trial period for premium membership, in which you get to explore the full breadth of what’s on offer before you decide whether you want to commit to a yearly subscription which lies at around 40 bucks. There is a bit of a hook discount for first-time users, which you can capitalise on. Additionally, some insurance companies offer the chance to use the app for free through them – check with your provider.

Ultimately, the app has been proven to do what it sets out to do (as per reviews), and if you’re looking for a swift way to treat your anxiety, a yearly fee of 40 bucks is far less than a therapist. In the meantime, you can check out some of the stories and trailers on YouTube to help you decide whether the app is something you’d have use for.

To Conclude Calmly

The calm app is a relaxation and meditation tool designed to help you treat anxiety, ground yourself, and be more in tune with your emotions – preferably positive ones. While the app is not free to use, its massive library, which includes famous storytellers and performers, is well worth the price. To be more precise, there is no price for a healthy nervous system!

The app has multiple categories to help you stay calm in all areas of your life, and you can even use it with kids or as a background noise simulator.

Treat yourself to something valuable today; try the Calm app 😉!