TheApple Watchsuffers from a name problem. The word ‘watch’ makes up half of its name, but using it to tell the time is a feature I only use for a total of about a minute a day. A quick glance takes little more than a second or two, and I doubt I check the time on my watch more than 30 times a day.
If the Apple Watch is barely used to tell the time, what’s the point of having one? Well, like I said, the name is all wrong, because the Apple Watch is so much more than a watch. It’s afitness tracker, a communication device, agaming machine, and even a way tofind my iPhonewhen it’s fallen down the side of the sofa. It’s also a great tool for improving your mental health, thanks to the built-in Mindfulness app. Here’s everything you need to know about the Mindfulness app on the Apple Watch, and how to use it.
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What is the Apple Watch Mindfulness app?
The Breathe app
Apple designed the first mindfulness app it released on the Watch to help users take a few moments out of their day to focus on their breathing. Studies have shown that deep breathing can lower blood pressure, lower stress levels, and even relieve some symptoms of IBS.
TheBreathe appencourages you to breathe in and out, guided by an animation on your Apple Watch. By default, Breathe sessions are a minute, but you can change them to be up to five minutes. You can also change the breathing rate in the Apple Watch settings if you find the animation too slow or too fast.
The Reflect app
In 2021, the Reflect app was added to the mix, which encourages users to take time out to reflect on a specific prompt. These prompts are intended to put you in a positive frame of mind, so you won’t be asked to think about that time that you forgot your lines in the school play. As you reflect, your Apple Watch screen plays an animation that looks a little like the inside of a lava lamp. If you’re not a fan, you can always opt to close your eyes during the reflection time. When the Reflect app was introduced, both Breathe and Reflect were folded into the Mindfulness app.
The State of Mind app
InwatchOS 10, there is a new addition to the Mindfulness app: State of Mind. This feature allows you to keep a log of your current mood, as well as an overall state of mind for each day. Over time, you see a broader picture of how your mood is changing. Using the Health app on your iPhone, you can also get useful insights, such as how sleep and exercise are affecting your mood.
Audio meditations
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How to use the Apple Watch Breathe app
The Breathe app is very simple to use; start the session and follow the animation which will guide you as to when to breathe in and when to breathe out.
How to use the Apple Watch Reflect app
The Reflect app offers a little more variety than the Breathe app, as each time you use it, you’ll get a different prompt to reflect upon.
How to use the Apple Watch State of Mind app
The State of Mind app gives you two options; you can log your current state of mind, or you can log your overall state of mind for the day.
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How to set Mindfulness reminders on your Apple Watch
In our busy lives, it’s easy to forget to take time out to breathe or reflect. Apple Watch allows you to set reminders to use the Mindfulness app, so that you don’t get to the end of the day realizing you’ve forgotten to breathe.
How to get the Mindfulness app back on your Apple Watch if it’s missing
Sometimes when you set up a new Apple Watch, you may find that some apps are missing; I pulled my hair out for about an hour trying to figure out why theSleep appwas missing from my Apple Watch. If you find that the Mindfulness app is missing from your Apple Watch, or you accidentally delete it, you can reinstall it via the App Store app on your Apple Watch.
Your Apple Watch is a great tool for helping to keep track of your mental health and also allows you to take some time out from your day to be mindful. If you’re looking to improve your physical as well as mental health, then there are some greatApple Watch fitness and health appsout there too.
