Looking after your wellbeing and managing stress
This was the most common area students asked us for help with. The right app can ease some of the pressure, whether by building a small daily routine, limiting time on your phone, or giving structure to an unstructured day. However, it is also the area where technology can do the least. An app cannot replace talking to someone, and if you are struggling, the most useful step is to reach out to people who can help. For some people, tracking apps add pressure rather than ease it, so use what helps and leave what does not. Start with the support below.
Wellbeing and stress software
- Start with LJMU support: If you are struggling, LJMU's Health and Wellbeing services are here for you.
If you need urgent help, read what to do in a crisis. - Finch: a gentle self-care app where small daily check-ins help you build routine. Free, with an optional paid tier.
- Flora and Forest: grow a virtual plant while you stay off your phone, which can help when stress makes it hard to focus.
Flora is free.
Forest is free on Android, with a small one-off cost on iPhone. - Calming or focus audio: many students work better with background sound. Spotify has free study playlists, and Brain.fm is built for focus, though it requires a paid subscription.
- Built-in phone tools: Screen Time (iPhone) and Digital Wellbeing (Android) set limits without any extra app.
