An app that focuses on wellbeing exercises to reduce stress is being offered free
App maker Stress Refuge is launching DeStressify, an app that helps people with overwhelmed, busy lives achieve “mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing,” free for anyone employed by a school district, school, or other educational organization.
“Teachers play an enormous role in shaping our future generations, and it’s a stressful job,” said Theresa Fox, president and CEO of DeStressify. “That’s why we decided to give this app to educators at no charge; to help them better manage their stress, and in turn, their classrooms.”
In its promotional materials, the company references a Gallup State of America’s Schools report that found nearly half of all K-12 teachers reported daily stress.
The app, available for iOS and Android, offers simple strategies to tackle job-related stress and burnout. The app gives users 10-minute activities they can do once a day, including breathing, physical activity, self-care and visualization. Activities are designed to help educators decompress and reenergize.
Colorado’s Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) recently partnered with the company behind the app to help faculty reduce stress. According to the company, teachers who used the app experienced a reduction in stress level by an average of 20 percent. Those who did not use the app reported a less than 6 percent reduction in stress. Additionally, nearly 43 percent of those who actively utilized DeStressify saw drastic improvements in stress levels.
“Teachers are under a lot of pressure,” said Bob Jamieson, benefits director at Boulder Valley School District. “This case study reveals that teachers who are cognizant of their stress and spend just 10 minutes a day to destressify experience a lower level of stress.”
“The 5- to 10-minute exercises fit into anyone’s schedule and take me away from a stressful state almost as soon as I start focusing on my breath,” one BVSD study participant reflected.
“It’s an easy way to encourage yourself to just take a few minutes each day to de-stress and to remember what’s important in life,” another participant noted.
A trial version is available free to everyone. Educators who wish to upgrade for free to the pro version can contact education@stressrefuge.com.
Material from a press release was used in this report.
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