Apps to keep you sane
Here’s help to get you through the end-of-year madness
WE’RE gearing up for the summer holidays– but for most people it’s not all downhill from here. The end of the year usually means lots to get through at work, exams for the kids, and feeling the pinch of the looming festive season on your wallet.
All this makes for a rather frantic time. Luckily, there’s help in the form of apps that can help you to organise and re-energise.
GOOGLE KEEP
Sometimes, getting all those tasks out of your head and down on a to-do list makes them seem so much less overwhelming. What makes Google’s note-taking, list-making app so great is that it syncs to anywhere you’re logged into your Google account, plus it allows you to easily share items with your Gmail contacts.
Once shared, those contacts can edit the notes and list too – so it’s a great way to coordinate packing for a family holiday, or Christmas gifts for the kids with your spouse.
You can also set reminders for notes, or even record a note if you’re in a rush. Free on iOS and Android
COLORFY
Adult colouring-in has been the in-vogue way to relax for a while, but you can’t always haul your colouring book and crayons with you everywhere you go.
However, with this beautifully designed app you can get your fix on the go!
Nature, animals, patterns, mandalas – you name it, Colorfly has a picture waiting for you to colour some life into.
If you’re proud of your creations you can share them with your community, or you can check out the works of others to help you get inspired. Free on iOS and Android
GOOGLE MAPS
This nifty app isn’t just for getting directions. If you’re travelling to an area you don’t know well, you can download the map of that area for offline use – which saves data, whether you’re having a staycation or going overseas.
Other great features include being able to mark on the map the places you want to visit, restaurants nearby (with reviews and pictures of the food) or other areas of significance you might want to explore.
A feature called Your Timeline matches images you’ve taken during the day to your path on the map (your location must be turned on for this to work).
NEKO ATSUME
All this game requires you to do is put food, toys and treats in your little garden to attract cats and watch them romp.
Really, that’s it – but even if you’re not a huge cat-lover, you won’t be able to put this fun app down.
It’s a wonderfully frivolous little game to help you escape for a while – it’s like having a menagerie of adorable kitties, without all the mess. Free on iOS and Android
AUDIBLE
You just don’t have time to read, right? Well, audio versions of the latest bestsellers and old favourites are just a few taps away – perfect for escaping to another world while you do menial chores, or when you’re stuck in traffic. Free on iOS and Android with in-app purchases
ZEN KOI
If caring for cats isn’t your thing, you might want to try your hand at fish – koi, to be exact. This beautifully animated game allows you to grow, breed and collect exquisitely patterned Japanese fish and prepare them to – ahem – ascend to their to mythological dragon form. Designed with mindfulness and relaxation in mind, it even has a meditative soundtrack for you to listen to while you tend to your pretty fishies. Free on iOS and Android