Happify for Stress & Worry
Product Description:
Happify provides a variety of activities based on assessment questions that identify areas of a person's life that require assistance. Health and well-being exercises, relationships, family and children, mindfulness, medication, work and money, and personal growth. Each exercise is intended to increase happiness and foster positive habits. One exercise, for example, the power of positive thinking, uses a game to train your brain to choose a positive mood. Hot air balloons lift to the air with words like "respect, vitality, and fortunate" or "stress, fright, boring". The user advances through the levels by clicking only on positive thoughts. Users can express their gratitude further by photographing something for which they are grateful, then posting it to the community and explaining why the photograph embodies gratitude.
"Smell the roses" prompts users to step outside and open all of their senses to nature. A "give" activity will encourage a user to plan and share an act of kindness. This app's versatility allows users to select from a wide range of tracks with numerous options.
Every day, three to four activities are available. An exercise can take anywhere from a minute to ten minutes to complete. The tasks can be completed all at once or as needed throughout the day. Tasks, such as games and meditations, can be completed within the app or require an action outside of the app (like being with nature or committing to an activity). The user commits to completing a track. This track includes activities addressing topics such as health and well-being, relationships, family and children, work and money, and so on. If the user needs a "pick me up," they can go to their instant play screen for an immediate uplifting activity.
Recommendations for Use:
This app is suitable for those who are not working with a licenced professional and can be used by anyone from consumers to clinicians. The guided activities provided can be used to supplement each individual's self-care routine. Some people may simply need a pick-me-up or a reminder to be in the present moment throughout the day. Others may benefit from the additional support provided by the Happify community. The frequency of use is determined by the need for a mood shift or the commitment to developing new habits; for example, a person could use the app at predetermined times during the day and/or when negative thoughts interfere with their mood.
Content:
The Happify app is divided into four sections. "My Track" appears on the home screen, displaying progress, statistics, track options, previous community posts, and a personality assessment option. The "Instant Play" screen directs you to activities in the Savor, Thank, Aspire, Give, Empathy, and Recommended categories. There are numerous activities available to keep a user engaged and interested. Short journal entries, photos, and an assessment of how enjoyable the task was can be used to personalise activities. The app tracks your progress with levels and badges, which can serve as motivational reinforcement. The "Happify Daily" screen provides readers with articles about making positive life changes, uplifting stories, mental health education, and life hacks.
Ease of Use and User Experience:
Happify's simple interface allows for simple interaction. Common user sections are easily identified by icons at the bottom of the screen. Setup may necessitate some problem solving and explanation. Some people may be unaware of why they are taking the assessment or how it relates to this app. Anyone should be able to follow the app prompts after the initial setup and review. Exercises and tasks appear to be simple and easy to complete. I appreciate the options available to me, from when to meditate to which task to begin. The meditation voices modelled soothing and calm tones. Overall, this app offers a relatively seamless experience for practising and reinforcing positive habits.
Visual Design and User Interface:
Happify's design supports their mission of developing skills that promote happiness. The colour scheme is bright and cheery. For ease of use, each screen is clutter-free, with visual icons and large font text. The website, like most tools, has a more extensive interface than the app, but the app is simple enough to be effective. Progress statistics are presented in graphic models that are simple to understand. Each page design includes a good mix of images and text. Photos in the app represented a variety of ethnicities, genders, and ages. Happify does not rely on advertisements for revenue, so no annoying pop-ups interfere with use, and no anxiety-inducing design issues were discovered.
Overall Impression:
I was sceptical about using Happify for my own personal use at first, but I ended up enjoying it. The features seemed overly simplistic at first, but after reading the research behind each activity, I found myself more engaged than I had anticipated. My favourite part was the activities that brought me closer to mindfulness. Practicing mindfulness on a regular basis did provide me with a noticeable boost in my spirits.
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