9 Apps for Managing Stress and Improving Focus at Work
How do top professionals stay focused and manage stress in the middle of a chaotic workday? In this article, we unveil the go-to apps and tools recommended by experts, including a Clinical Psychologist and a CTO, to help you stay balanced and productive. From mood tracking with Daylio to mindfulness practices with Headspace, these nine carefully curated apps offer practical strategies for boosting focus and improving well-being. Dive into their insights and discover how to create a more productive, stress-free work environment.
- Track Moods and Emotions with Daylio
- Stay Focused and Productive with Forest
- Find Peace and Focus with Calm
- Integrate Tasks and Focus with Pomodone
- Organize and Stay Calm with Streaks
- Enhance Focus with Brain.fm
- Boost Focus with Structured Breaks
- Maximize Focus with Airplane Mode
- Improve Well-Being with Headspace
Track Moods and Emotions with Daylio
My go-to app for managing stress during the workday is Daylio, which I recommend to my clients and use myself. Daylio allows me to check in with my feelings and track my moods in different situations, helping me stay aware of my thoughts and feelings. This process of monitoring emotions aligns with cognitive-behavioral principles, where understanding our feelings helps us cope in stressful situations by being more intentional about our responses. Daylio’s simplicity (and free tier) makes it easy to use even on a busy day, making reflection a quick, valuable practice that keeps me grounded.
One feature I particularly appreciate in Daylio is its ability to customize entries to reflect specific activities, people, or environments. This custom track aligns with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a therapeutic approach that encourages focusing on our feelings in the present moment. By associating my mood with particular activities or people, I can identify patterns influencing my stress levels. For instance, if I notice more stress after certain meetings or projects, I can adjust my approach or set firmer boundaries.
Reflecting on emotions and tracking patterns over time builds self-awareness and is a key component in many psychotherapies, such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Using Daylio, I can notice trends over time and take proactive steps to manage stress before it escalates. This ongoing self-reflection helps me handle daily stress and maintain focus, which ultimately supports my work as a psychologist—and is a tool I recommend to clients so they can benefit from the same insights.
Adam Horvath
Clinical Psychologist, Personal Psychology
Stay Focused and Productive with Forest
My go-to app has gotta be Forest. It’s just $4 on the App Store, and honestly, it’s been the best investment I’ve made in a while. I’ve been using it since 2018, and it’s basically a super cool version of the Pomodoro timer. For the price of a coffee, it’s seriously improved both my productivity and my focus.
Here’s how it works: You set the timer for however long you want to focus on a task, and instead of just watching a boring timer countdown, you “grow a plant.” The twist is, if you get distracted and touch your phone (or whatever device you have it installed on), the plant dies. And honestly, I just hate seeing that little plant die, so it really keeps me focused. The cool part is, after each successful focus session, you earn coins in the app. These coins let you buy different types of plants or even contribute to having a real tree planted somewhere in the world. It’s got this feel-good vibe that makes the whole productivity thing actually fun and rewarding.
Ajay Chavda
CTO, Mojo Dojo
Find Peace and Focus with Calm
I rely on Calm to manage stress and improve my mental focus during the workday. I discovered Calm during a particularly demanding project when I was feeling overwhelmed by tight deadlines and constant demands.
The app offers a variety of guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing exercises that help me find moments of peace amidst the chaos.
One feature I particularly appreciate is the daily meditation, which only takes a few minutes but sets a positive tone for my day. I often start my morning with this practice, which helps me clear my mind and approach challenges with a focused and calm demeanor.
By incorporating Calm into my daily routine, I’ve not only been able to manage stress more effectively but also enhance my overall productivity, leading to a more balanced and fulfilling work experience.
Aseem Jha
Founder, Legal Consulting Pro
Integrate Tasks and Focus with Pomodone
One tool I rely on to manage stress and improve focus is Pomodone. It uses the Pomodoro Technique, which breaks work into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes, followed by a short break. One key feature I appreciate is its ability to integrate with various project management tools like Trello and Asana, allowing me to stay on top of tasks while maintaining focus. It’s a great way to balance productivity with regular breaks, helping to prevent burnout and keep my mind fresh throughout the day.
Matt Gehring
Chief Marketing Officer, Dutch
Organize and Stay Calm with Streaks
I use the app “Streaks” to organize my attention and stay calm throughout the day. It’s habit-forming, but I like that it breaks down grand projects into small, daily tasks. I can, for instance, use it to schedule micro-breaks when I get out of my desk to breathe, stretch, or just have a little mindfulness session. These little breaks avoid burnout and ensure that my head stays clear even during the busiest days.
It is psychologically gratifying, though, to see something moving forward. Measuring consistency creates an air of achievement, and strengthens the healthy habits that drive output. It is a continuation of the same ethos we uphold: to make little, regular decisions, such as providing nutrients daily, for a sustainable life. That focus on constant, deliberate progress has been the key to staying agile and resilient in a challenging work environment.
Erin Hendricks
President and Owner, Sammy’s Milk
Enhance Focus with Brain.fm
Brain.fm is my tool of choice for focus. If I’m ever distracted, I know I have a much better shot at getting In The Zone if I put headphones on and use the Focus setting. The science is clear, and my own experience confirms: it works! On a budget, you could look for similar Beta Waves tracks on YouTube. But don’t go down a rabbit hole, and lose focus trying to, well…focus.
Alex Boyd
Owner, Mindfully Investing
Boost Focus with Structured Breaks
One of the most effective ways to manage stress and improve mental focus during the workday is by taking short, structured breaks. Studies suggest that regular mental breaks, especially those incorporating relaxation techniques, can boost productivity, prevent burnout, and improve overall cognitive function. For example, the Pomodoro Technique and similar approaches advocate for short, frequent breaks that help reset mental energy and enhance focus, which aligns with the natural rhythms of our brains.
My preferred tool for these breaks is the Relax and Be Emotionally Well app, which offers a wide selection of guided meditations and calming exercises tailored for quick yet impactful sessions. One feature I especially appreciate is its trauma-sensitive meditations, designed inclusively to help users de-stress safely. This app provides tools not just to relax but to cultivate mindfulness and presence, making it a great choice for managing workday stress and re-centering focus.
Mike Veny
Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®, Mike Veny, Inc.
Maximize Focus with Airplane Mode
No focus tool is more powerful than your iPhone’s Airplane Mode. Apply liberally! But if you’re looking for a piece of software, our team loves Inbox Pause by Boomerang.
As creatives we are lifelong sufferers of FOMO. We’re always hopping around among tasks, interests, and a disquieting inner nag that asks, “What else is up?” (Gollum voice optional but recommended.)
Even if you succeed at keeping social media apps beyond arm’s length, email remains that sanctioned “productivity” app that wrecks your focus.
We don’t have the metrics, but I would venture that, as a team, putting incoming email on a visiting-rights schedule made us ~4x more focused and efficient.
And if you want the report (which we don’t have), just shoot me an email. I’ll read it when Boomerang says I could.
Mayer Silver
Brand Therapist, Headspace Creative
Improve Well-Being with Headspace
I believe choosing the “best” mental health app depends on a user’s unique needs and preferences. As per my opinion one app that stands out in 2024 is Headspace. This app is known for its emphasis on mindfulness and meditation. But these aren’t the only reasons that I am recommending Headspace as a popular choice for enhancing emotional well-being.
So, what can you expect from Headspace?
- Focus on Mindfulness and Meditation – Headspace app specializes in guided meditations that target stress relief by enhancing your focus. It also provides sleep support and emotional balance.
- User-Friendly Interface – The app’s clean and intuitive design makes it accessible to users of all ages.
- Diverse Content Library – Headspace offers a wide range of meditation sessions. It provides short and focused exercises as well as long and immersive experiences.
- Expert Guidance – The app’s content is crafted by experienced mindfulness and meditation experts. These experts ensure that the app provides guidance focused on quality and effectiveness.
- Personalized Recommendations – Using AI-powered algorithms Headspace provides tailored recommendations based on your individual progress and needs.
- Additional Features – The app also renders sleep soundscapes, breathing exercises and mindful movement practices to support a holistic approach to well-being.
- Community Support – Headspace also offers a community forum where users can connect and share their experiences.
Pros of Headspace:
- This app is suitable for beginners and also experienced meditators.
- Extensive content library covering a range of needs.
- Intuitive, user-friendly design.
- Proven benefits for stress reduction, sleep improvement, and emotional balance.
Potential Cons:
- Limited access to free content without registration.
- Free trial periods are relatively short (7 days for monthly, 14 days for annual subscription).
- Some users may find the subscription cost prohibitive.
- Limited options for personalized therapy or counseling.
Headspace is an excellent choice for individuals interested in improving their emotional well being through mindfulness and meditation. The app delivers an accessible approach, diverse content and a supportive community.
Shebna N Osanmoh
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Savantcare