Review of the Live Happy iPhone App

Review of the Live Happy iPhone App Technology Print Live Happy iPhone App Review By Elizabeth Scott, MS twitter Elizabeth Scott, MS, is a wellness coach specializing in stress management and quality of life, and the author of 8 Keys to Stress Management. Learn about our editorial policy Elizabeth Scott, MS Updated on January 24, 2020 FrancescoCorticchia / Getty Images More in Self-Improvement Technology Happiness Meditation Stress Management Spirituality Holistic Health Inspiration Brain Health Relationships View All While there are many iPhone apps based around happiness, this was one of the first to come out, and its still one of the best to use, in my opinion.  I really enjoy this iPhone application for many reasons, and think its a truly useful tool for stress relief in that its based on the principles of positive psychology, and can help you actually create habits that are proven by research to help you live a life that includes more happiness and less stress (or more resilience toward stress). Pros It helps you create life-affirming habits.It uses different applications from your iPhone to do so.Its methods are backed by solid research.Its fun, educational and easy to use.It has a free trial version. Cons You have to remember to use it in order for it to work, of course.The full version is a bit more pricey than average iPhone applications. Description Savor activities include creating an album of beautiful pictures to look at, or happy memories to relive.Strive activities include setting goals in different areas of your life, rating and prioritizing these goals, and more.Optimism includes envisioning your best possible self, an activity that I often recommend to readers and clients.Social activities include expressing appreciation toward people in your life, and keeping a kindness journal.Thank activities include expressing gratitude to people in your life, and maintaining a gratitude journal.The Explore section provides you with more information about positive psychology and the science of happiness. Review of the Live Happy iPhone Application Review Live Happy was based on the research and teachings of Sonja Lyubomirsky, a positive psychology researcher. It includes educational tidbits and videos that can help you better understand what is known about the attainment of happiness and resilience, as well as features that encourage you to engage in happiness-promoting activities. The application lets you choose from several different activities tells you what to do, and tells you why and how this particular activity promotes happiness. Theres even an email component that tracks your activities and emails you information related to what youre doing in the Live Happy application, as an extra reminder to engage in these activities regularly, which is a key part of making them a habit. For example, I often recommend that people keep a gratitude journal, as it helps you cultivate an attitude of gratitude that can be great for stress relief and overall happiness. This iPhone app has a gratitude journal feature, which is useful to have right there on your iPhone--you can add to it throughout the day when you have idle time! One of my favorite features allows you to create an album of positive experiences. You are given the choice of creating a book of memories of sorts, and creating a new page for each positive memory youd like to dwell on, or creating an album of beautiful sights youd like to look at again. (I actually break the rules a little in how I use this activity and create a photo album where I take pictures of things Ive done and enjoyed, and write about what I did and how I felt.) Its nice to go back through a book of happy memories when I need an emotional pick-me-up.  It promotes optimism and positive affect, which can build resilience against stress of all kinds. There are several other features on this iPhone app that are useful in cultivating happiness; I recommend that you try the free version, and upgrade if you find yourself using and enjoying it.