Whether for entertainment or work, our digital lives are costing us our health and attention.

We have compiled four apps to help us regain control of our health and focus, rather than detracting from them.

1. PosturePal

2. LookAway

3. One Sec

4. Endel

Posture Pal — Improve your posture

Posture Pal uses the motion sensor in modern earphones like AirPods to track your neck tilt and alert you when a bad posture is detected.

Once you have the app running in the background, a cute giraffe mascot will pop up from the bottom of your screen when you need a reminder.

Posture Pal is available for iOS and Mac.

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LookAway — Take screen breaks

After a prolonged session at your computer, LookAway takes over your screen, blurring the content and prompting you to look away for a break. 

The app also smartly avoids interrupting you when it knows you’re recording your screen or in an online meeting.

Overall, the app is beautifully designed and thoughtfully developed, featuring options like snoozing a break and customizing your break messages.

LookAway is available for Mac only.

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One Sec — Stop mindless scrolling

One Sec helps you think twice before opening distracting apps, such as social media. 

It doesn't outright block access like most app blockers. Instead, it encourages you to pause for a moment when you mindlessly open those apps.

For most of us, we habitually navigate and open social media apps when we are bored, often without much thought.

The app interrupts this habit loop by redirecting users to a screen that encourages them to take a breath before asking if they really want to continue.

One Sec is available on iOS, Android, Mac, and as a browser extension for all major web browsers.

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Endel — Help you focus

Many people turn to music to block out background noise or improve their mood while studying or working.

However, when trying to focus, listening to pop music with lyrics adds an extra layer of processing that competes for cognitive resources.

This is where Endel comes in. It offers science-backed soundscapes that actually support concentration.

You can choose from a variety of soundscapes, along with guided exercises like box breathing, which can help recenter your mind between focus sessions.

Endel is available for iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows.

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