Unfortunately, so many people simply cannot live in the present or make the most of their day, including me. It’s getting harder and harder for people to stay grounded in their lives and to just focus with so many distractions and topics of stress not only found in our environment, but hidden in every nook and cranny of our minds. Too often, we feel overdue for a break from the world and the need to unwind. Many of us are dissatisfied with our current lifestyle, yet we struggle to start and actually commit to making improvements. We are not without the motivation to do so, but the process of starting anew is simply too arduous and it’s only too simple to procrastinate our time away. While so many of the apps on our phones can often be the culprit, there are also just as many apps that can help us with living presently and make the next step of committing to a goal just a little bit easier.

Forest–This app not only helps the user achieve their goals and tasks, but it also helps the environment. Essentially, a tree is planted when the user selects and puts down their phone for a certain amount of time, and if their cell phone is picked up within that timeframe set, the tree will die. Over time, a magnificent forest will be planted—in-app and in real life—with the user’s dedication and focus. This app really does help with staying focused and establishing good habits, in not only a fun way but it heightens the sense of accomplishment and responsibility of the user. Simply putting down their phone helps plant trees in real life. In addition, the graphics of this app are 10/10. Sleep town is another app by the same developer with a similar concept targeted towards healthy sleep schedules which works equally as effectively. 

Timepage & Actions from Moleskin Studio- These two apps knock other scheduling or calendar apps out of the water simply due to how highly customizable it is and just how nicely designed every aspect of the app is. But more than that, these apps function more than just the basic calendar or to-do list. It seamlessly integrates maps, weather, contacts, and events with the calendar without having a cluttered display. In short, Timepage is the ultimate calendar app. 

Mindnode-Map all of your ideas and thoughts with this app, which takes brainstorming to the next level. To be more productive and creative, I always try to keep track of every idea that even has a tinge of creativity so that I will never be lost on what to do and then procrastinate. Mindnode makes this process very easy and it’s also more effortless to build on to simple ideas. Using this app to brainstorm makes it more convenient and accessible, and it’s also a much more organized method since it’s possible to edit/revise the notes on the app in any way. 

Habit- As the name suggests, Habit is an effective app for building habits. In essence, the app is designed as a to-do list, but with features to ensure the user is actively engaged and routinely keeping up with their tasks. It’s easy to keep up with your progress, and the app has great reminders. This app is designed for the average user who simply needs a little push to reach their healthy lifestyle goals. 

Flow– Flow is like a personalized notebook that immerses the user in a space where it’s easy to unlock their full creative potential. Flow isn’t like Goodnotes or Procreate, where the purpose is to make professional and detailed notes or art. Flow is an intuitive, convenient app without an overwhelming amount of features or settings, and serves as a capable workspace. Like its name, the design and experience of Flow can only be described as flowing. Users can work uninterrupted on it and the overall experience the app provides is very immersive and relaxing.

If you find yourself struggling to be productive, give one of these apps a try to revamp your lifestyle and increase your productivity!