Wait, you don’t have these apps?
Ever had a 10 minute break turn into a whole afternoon scrolling through your phone or watching the new episode of your favourite show? I bet, and we can probably agree that it has happened to most of us. I hate to say it, but our beloved phone can either be a blessing, or in this case a cure. Maybe you allocated the afternoon or morning to do the dishes and cleaning your kitchen or maybe you wanted to get a head start on school work. Despite the setbacks, there are apps to make your time spent scrolling less of a time-suck, and more time filled feeling inspired, getting education and help you along your journey to become more sustainable.
Please note: NUET is not sponsored by any of these apps, we are solely speaking from personal experience and your submissions!
Libby
On a budget or want to spend your money on something else than a book subscription? - Then Libby is your new best friend. Whether you like thrillers, fantasy, young adult fiction or mystery: If you have a library card, you now have both books and audiobooks for free on your phone!
Cost: Free!
Tip: If there is a book you would like to read, but someone else is borrowing it, make sure to place a hold on it and find yourself an audiobook to listen to instead. That way, you will stay productive whilst waiting for the book to return in the app.
Duolingo
Sound familiar? Maybe you have already heard about the app from when the green mascot owl ‘Duo’ went viral for its passive-aggressive approach to push notifications and getting its users to learn their desired language. For once, push notifications will actually push you to get some work done. Like with all forms of learning, you are the only one that can put down the time and dedication it takes for yourself to learn, but Duolingo is a helpful tool when it comes to implementing a bit of language learning in your daily routine. You will have the opportunity to practice a language through speaking, listening, and writing. And do not worry if you already have some experience, there are different levels offered to make sure you get the most out of it.
Cost: Free but offers a paid membership to access personalised tests etc.
Tip: For this app to be helpful, it should be practiced every day. Putting off a specific moment of the day to make this a habit you stick to.
Creativelive
Whether you want to learn how to crochet, landscape photography, pay off your debt or get in tune with your finances, this app got you covered. I am currently taking a class about freelancing called ‘Freelancing 101: Turning your side hustle into cash with Andrew Whelan’, and so far I have only got fantastic things to say about the app!
Cost: Membership based, but a free new video available every day.
Tip: Whilst doing your weekly planning, look at what free classes they have scheduled for that particular week. Then look at your planner and see whether you have time RSVP on those that sound most interesting to you. This way you will be able to get the most out of the app, whilst still doing all of the other things you had planned that week.
Mend: Self care for breakups
Had a recent breakup and trying to move on? With a personalised ‘self-care’ program with daily check inns, audio training with Elle (the founder), and journal features, this app helps you to feel better faster and hopefully be a step in the right direction in terms of moving on.
Cost: Free!
Tip: Create an account to save and see your progression of how you mend.
Headspace
This has to be the leading app for mediation, and that is not without reason. Headspace offers a range of specialised challenges and specialised sessions for various purposes such as reducing stress, improved sleep and creativity boost. Do not worry if you do not have previous experience with mindfulness, there are introduction sessions that have a simple and understanding approach to mindfulness made just for you. If you are feeling overwhelmed with everything going on right now, you can try out a few sessions here!
Cost: Free but the paid membership offers a much wider range of meditation sessions.
Tip: Are you a student with a valid NUS Card or Unidays registration and have Spotify Premium? - Well good news! This means you get get full access to the Headspace without the paid membership.
Binaural
Maybe Headspace was not the app for you. Binaural beats are sounds that help your brain stay focused, relaxed and centred. The technique was discovered by Heinrich Wilhelm Dove in 1839 and has since been used all over the world. After thoroughly being tested and researched by scientists, it is proven that binaural beats have a powerful effect on people's mental, physical and emotional health and overall well-being. The way it works is that there are two slightly different pitched frequencies, each frequency goes to your ears independently, then your brain responds by creating a third tone (the difference between the two frequencies). This shift in frequency is what shifts your brain’s consciousness.
Cost: Free, but offers a paid membership to access all features.
Tip: Listen with headphones, preferably noice cancelling.
Forest
Forest encourages you to put your phone away, but in order to help you do that, it gives you rewards. Pick a seed for the tree you want to grow, set the timer for how long you want to be off your phone and once you come back your seed has gradually grown into a tree. However, if you go on your phone whilst the time-out is still ticking your tree will wither away and die. It may sounds strange, but I promise it works.
Cost: Free, but offers a paid membership to access all features.
Tip: Works better if you manage to implement it into your daily routine as it can be easy to forget if not.
Paste
Specifically designed for your computer, Paste gives you more freedom and makes it easier to save and go back and fourth between different applications. Personalise your very own shortcuts and get seamless copy & paste functionality between various applications and files.
Cost: Free!
Tip: It might take a bit of time to get the hang of how the app works but once you do, it can be a life-saver!
For good
This app measure your ecological footprint and give you advice on how you personally can become more sustainable. Additionally, there are articles from other platforms like The New Yorks Times: ‘How climate anxiety is shaping family planning’.
Cost: Free!
Tip: If you are looking for encouragement to be more sustainable in your everyday life, this is a good way to look reality in the eyes whilst also focusing on how you can improve.
Too good to go
Too good to go allows you to track and purchase unsold food items in your local community. This does not only limit the amount of food waste, but it also allows you to eat healthy and delicious on a budget!
Cost: Free!
Tip: If you are a fan of meal-prepping, then maybe try to incorporate this app into you weekly planning. Decide one day where you will drive or bike around to purchase all the food items and make it a challenge to use all the ingredients for the upcoming week.
Ecosia
This is probably the easiest ways you can become a bit more sustainable in your everyday life. By doing your regular browsing, you are able to plant trees and give better working conditions to workers. In other words, there is absolutely no reason why not to use this app.
Cost: Free!
Tip: Tell all your friends about it!
Good On You
Discover sustainable fashion brands, read in depth articles about the clothing industry and discover more information on how your current favourite clothing brands preforms on OEKO-TEX, Fair Trade and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), etc.
Cost: Free
Tip: Before you purchase something, remember to take a quick look in the app to get a simple overview of the sustainability efforts of the brand you are about to support. Is it worth it?
Illustrations by ZSÓFI MAYER.
Thumbnail photo by Martine Aamodt Hess.
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