Apps, Books & More for Your Wellness

Insight Timer

Insight Timer is free and available for iOS and android. It comes recommended by Jordan Sokoloski, Naturopathic Doctor on the Thunder Bay campus. It has a library of thousands of guided meditations for you to choose from, as well as the option to customize your meditation with features like a timer, various audio options, and bell sounds to help you relax and refresh, exactly how you like.

Calm

Calm helps you to meditate, sleep and relax. Browse a library of meditations, sleep stories, music and more to help you support your wellness. Topics include calming anxiety, managing stress, deep sleep, focus and concentration, breaking habits, gratitude, and more!

Headspace

Headspace offers a monthly subscription to help you stress less and sleep soundly. It offers thousands of guided meditations to help you with anything from managing stress, to sleep, fouc and mind and body health. Learn mindfulness skills from experts around the world, xplore a wide range of relaxing audio, tackle quick 3 minute sessions and even try out the Move Mode - to help incorporate movement into your busy day.

Happify

Happify consists of science-based activities and games that can help you overcome negative thoughts, stress and other challenges. Journal your moods, thoughts and emotions and use the exercises to help work through how you are feeling in a healthy way. Happify is available with a monthly, annual or lifetime subscription.

Moodfit

Moodfit helps you track your moods and gives you exercises and tasks to complete to help address negative emotions. It is adaptable, based on the goals that you chose for yourself and gives you the ability to easily track your progress. It even offers reminders to help keep you on track. Overtime, the app can provide you with insights to better understand what affects your moods and emotions and provides strategies for feeling better.

Mindshift

Mindshift was developed by Anxiety Canada - an anxiety awareness nonprofit organization. It uses cognitive behavioural therapy to teach relaxation skills and suggest healthy activities for maintaining wellness.There are guided meditations, and even a “quick relief” tool that you can use if you’re feeling overwhelmed in the moment.

TalkCampus

TalkCampus is an app made specifically for students. It is a peer to peer support based platform that allows you to talk with other students from around the world, anonymously. The platform is safe and moderated, and is designed as a place where you can be yourself and talk about how you are really feeling with others in similar situations.

Strava

Strava is a fitness tracking app that allows you to track workouts and connect with others. Irene Pugliese, Manager of Wellness Services recommends this app to help with staying accountable to your movement goals. Need more of a reason to use Strava? Student Health & Wellness uses the app for our It’s Your Move program, consisting of challenges for staff and students to participate in. Join our group - It’s Your Move LU today!

The How of Happiness

The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky draws on groundbreaking research to set out a detailed, yet simple to follow plan to increase happiness in our day-to-day lives. It is a guide to understanding what happiness is, and what it isn’t, and helps readers learn various happiness-increasing strategies. Recommended by Irene Pugliese, Manager of Health Services.

Hello I Want To Die Please Fix Me

Hello I Want to Die Please Fix Me by Anna Mehler Paperny is a national bestseller that looks at depression in the first person. A Canadian journalist shares her experience seeking treatment for suicide ideation and depression. The book showcases honestly, the courageous and at times humerous, journey of navigating the struggles that nearly a fifth of the population face. Recommended by Lindsey Wachter, Health Promoter.

Burnout

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Amelia and Emily Nagoski comes recommended by Jordan Sokoloski, Naturopathic Doctor, Thunder Bay. The book explains why women experience burnout differently than men - and provides a simple, science-based plan to help women minimize stress, manage emotions, and live a more joyful life. Instead of asking us to ignore the very real obstacles and societal pressures that stand between women and well-being, the authors explain with compassion and optimism what we’re up against.

Magazines

Magazines are a great option for reading material if you feel like you already have too much reading to do as a student. Recommended by Kim Vallee, Librarian, Orillia, The Yoga Journal, WellBeing and Planet Mindful offer a great selection of wellness reading material. Many public libraries have free access to e-magazines, check a library near you to get access to some easy reading today.

Netflix Headspace Series

The Netflix Headspace Series offers 15-20 minute episodes surrounding the topics of meditation and mindfulness. The three components of the series include Guide to Meditation, Unwind Your Mind, and Guide to Sleep. Hartley Mendelsohn, Student Success Advisor, Thunder Bay recommends this series for you the next time you are looking for a show on Netflix!

Bliss

Bliss is available exclusively on Amazon Prime. It is a mind-bending love story between a recently fired divorcee and a woman living on the streets, convinced that the world is a computer simulation. The story combines drama and science fiction, while  exploring topics of mental health and addiction. Bliss is recommended by Irene Pugliese, Manager of Health Services.

Ted Lasso

Ted Lasso is a comedy series available on Apple TV. The show follows an American football coach who is recruited to manage a struggling English Premier League soccer team in London. What he lacks in knowledge, he makes up for in optimism, determination and biscuits. Recommended by Linsdsey Wachter, Health Promoter,  Cheryl D’Angelo, Director of Student Health and Wellness & Elana Weber, Athletics & Wellness Coordinator, Orillia.

The Happiness Lab

The Happiness Lab with Yale professor, Dr. Laurie Santos will take you through the latest research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will shift your perspective and the way you think about happiness. Unlike many other happiness and self-love podcasts, The Happiness Lab is rooted in science that leaves the listener with tactical advice to make life more happy.  Recommended by Kim Vallee, Librarian, Orillia. 

Life Kit

Life Kit is here to help, after all, everyone needs a little help being human. Experts share advice from a wide range of topics from relationships, self-care, finances, and everything in between. Episodes are short and easy to enjoy and digest, perfect for students with hectic class and study schedules. Recommended by Kim Vallee, Librarian, Orillia, Life Kit is here to help you keep it together.

Feminist Survival Podcast

Feminist Survival Podcast, recommended by Jordan Sokoloski, Naturopathic Doctor, Thunder Bay, is perfect for anyone feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and still worrying that they aren’t doing enough. Hosted by Amelia and Emily Nagoski, authors of Burnout, The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle, breakdown various wellness-related topics with insight and humor.    Listen to this podcast for new “survival” tips released every Monday.