App Spotlight: Sleep Bug

In this series of posts called App Spotlight, I'll cover mobile apps that are related to mental health, wellness and healthy relationships.  Today's post features Sleep Bug.These days, pretty much everyone has a hard time relaxing.  With work, family and social responsibilities it can be challenging to find even just a few minutes to relax. That's why I always appreciate finding a solid app that can help me re-center and get a little break during the day.

Sleep Bug is a sound mixing app that offers the user a variety of environmental soundscapes.  The great thing about Sleep Bug is that is also lets the user have a fair amount of control.  Each soundscape also features the ability to add or subtract other sounds elements such as birds, wind, chimes, etc.  Each soundscape offers elements that you might naturally find in that particular environment.The free version of Sleep Bug offers the user 12 soundscapes:

1. Beach - with waves, chimes, birds and a horn

2. Music Box - offers a guitar, piano, bells and birds

3. Zen - feature chants, bamboo, drum and strings

4. Zen Garden - with bamboo, drum and strings

5. River - features wind, lightning, frogs, insects and birds

6. Forest - with wolves, birds, and music beats

7. Jungle - with parrots, drums, monkeys, frogs and tigers

8. Classical - features string instruments and drums

9. Fire - burning wood, lightning, wind, and owls

10. Waterfall - with streams, birds and rustling trees

11. Weather - features wind, rain and lightning

12. Lullaby - with waves, birds and chimes

If users want to upgrade for the paid version, it features 12 other soundscapes to chose from:

1. Horror

2. City

3. Clock

4. Dreams

5. Train

6. Sci-fi

7. Airport

8. Outback

9. Winter

10. White Noise

11. Underwater

12. Dark Drone

In addition to the soundscapes, Sleep Bug offers an easy to use interface which includes high quality images to represent each environment.  The app also offers the handy feature of a timer which can be used for sleep or as an aide to help in mindfulness meditation.  The app's software also allows it to run in the background on your device so that you can go on to pay attention to other tasks if you absolutely need to but I wouldn't advise that.  The whole purpose is to take a break, right?

If you are having trouble sleeping and have access to the technology, Sleep Bug can be a very helpful tool.  If you suffer from insomnia or nighttime anxiety, this app lets you control your environment and set a sleep timer to ensure that you don't drain your device's battery all night long.  In addition, business users can use it for an in office noise maker and you can use it as a quick aid for daily meditation.   

*No application is an adequate substitute for support from a trained and licensed mental health professional.  Please use with discretion.