Khumail Thakur | 7 May 2025 03:30 PM
Alright, let's be honest, all the war news right now can sometimes feel like a one-way ticket to Stressville. Notifications pinging like a hyperactive hummingbird and endless scrolling on social media can leave your brain numb. But what if I told you that this very same slab of glass and silicon could be your secret weapon in the battle against anxiety? Intrigued? You should be! Apple's been sneakily packing some rather nifty features into iOS that are designed to help you find your inner zen. So, let's dive in and turn that phone from a fret-inducer into a fabulous friend.
Remember those fluffy diaries with tiny locks we had as kids? The Journal app is the grown-up, tech-savvy version, and it’s brilliant for giving anxiety the old heave-ho.
What's the deal? Putting pen to paper (or, in this case, thumbs to screen) to jot down your thoughts and reflect on things you're grateful for is a tried-and-tested way to boost your wellbeing. The beauty of the Journal app is that it’s always with you. Had a sudden thought on the bus? Need to vent after that meeting? Or just want to capture a lovely moment? You can scribble down your musings, add photos, videos, audio recordings (perfect for humming that tune you can't get out of your head), and even locations to create a rich tapestry of your life. Looking back on happy memories or working through worries can be surprisingly therapeutic.
How to get started? If you're on a compatible iOS, the Journal app should be right there on your Home Screen. Or else download it from the App Store. Just tap it open and start a new entry. You can even get prompts to help kickstart your reflective ramblings.
If you’re the exercising type, then State of Mind, nestled within the Health app, lets you log how you're feeling throughout the day. Are you feeling chuffed, a bit miffed, or somewhere in between? By regularly noting your momentary emotions and daily moods, you start to see patterns.
How to get started? Pop open the Health app, tap on the Browse tab, and then select Mental Wellbeing. From there, you'll find State of Mind. You can then choose to log your 'Momentary Emotion' or 'Daily Mood'. Easy.
Sometimes, the best way to calm the mind is to, well, calm the phone. Focus mode is your personal bouncer for unwanted digital distractions.
What's the deal? Focus mode lets you take back control. Want to concentrate on work without your mate Barry’s cat memes popping up? Need some quality "me time" without social media alerts? You can customise which apps and people can break through, so you don't miss that crucial call from your mum about Sunday roast, but everything else can wait.
You can even tailor your Lock Screen and Home Screen to match your Focus, and schedule it to switch on and off automatically. Bliss!
How to get started? Go into Settings and then tap on Focus. You can choose from existing options like 'Do Not Disturb' or 'Work', or create your own custom Focus. Go on, give those notifications a telling off!
Hot off the press from Apple’s audio wizards, Ambient Music in the brand-spanking-new iOS 18.4 is set to be a game-changer for on-the-go serenity.
What's the deal? Picture this: you're feeling a bit frazzled. Instead of fumbling through your music library, you can now get instant access to curated playlists designed for specific vibes. We're talking themes like Sleep (for when you're counting sheep that have unionised), Productivity (to get you in the zone), Wellbeing (for a general mental massage), and Chill (because sometimes, you just need to, y'know, chill). It's like having a sonic sanctuary right in your Control Centre.
How to get started? Once you've updated to iOS 18.4, you'll be able to add these new Ambient Music controls to your Control Centre. Then, it’s just a tap away from your chosen soundscape.