4 iPhone Apps to Help You Remain Grounded and Stable

Living with dissociative identity disorder (DID) means you need as many tools as you can find to remain grounded and stable. This can be difficult when you are trying to balance a routine made up of work, family, and friends. However, I’ve been able to find solace in an unusual place: my iPhone.

iPhone Apps That Help You Feel Stable and Grounded

Aside from the comfort I get from using my iPhone to connect with supportive friends, I’ve been able to hunt down a number of apps that can help me get grounded and stable in a pinch. Some of them are simple games, while others are apps specifically designed for meditation. Here are some of the iOS apps I turn to when I am symptomatic.

• Calm – This popular meditation app has quickly become a favorite of mine. Calm has a series of meditations, some guided and some not, for everything under the sun. My favorite meditations are currently the ones I can turn to in a pinch for DID symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. The meditations available through Calm are categorized as well for specific needs, whether you are experiencing a panic attack or simply want more focus. (Cost: Free, with a subscription option)
• BreathingApp – Another app I like to turn to when I feel a panic attack or traumatic flashback coming on is BreathingApp. The premise is simple: a grey sphere appears on the screen and progressively gets larger, signaling when you should take a deep breath. Then, it slowly becomes smaller, letting you know when you breathe out. There is also a countdown option if you prefer to breathe in and out by count. (Cost: Free)
• Take a Break – Take a Break is a meditation app that has flown under the radar. Similar to Calm, this app offers meditations, but with more limited options: users can choose between a short seven-minute “work-break” guided meditation, or a longer 13-minute “stress-relief” guided meditation. Both can be listened to with background sounds, such as rain or ocean waves. (Cost: Free)
• Boomshine – This simple game is my favorite for feeling grounded and stable when I am feeling symptomatic. In Boomshine, dozens of colorful bubbles float around the screen. Clicking on a bubble causes it to expand and pop the other nearby bubbles. You acquire points for expanding and popping other bubbles, allowing you to advance to higher levels. Not only is the game itself relaxing, but there is background music that helps ease your anxiety. (Cost: Free)

Whether I’m feeling panicked or depressed, these are some of the apps I turn to that help me feel grounded and stable when I’m feeling symptomatic. In the digital age, relief can come in the form of technology, which I am grateful for as a DID survivor.