Top 5 Mental Wellness Apps for Entrepreneurs in 2025
- (Admin) The Thrivology Company
- Nov 22, 2024
- 8 min read
My Top 5 Mental Wellness Apps to Keep You Sane & Soaring in 2025 (Yes, Even with Kids & a To-Do List That Never Ends!)
Hey, lovely people! Carlene here, & if your life as an ambitious female entrepreneur feels anything like mine – a whirlwind of client calls, strategic planning, school runs, "Mum, where's my...?", & the occasional moment where you realise you’ve been surviving on coffee & sheer willpower – then this one’s for you.
We’re often the queens of spinning multiple plates, aren’t we? Juggling our businesses, our families (I’m a mum of four, so I really get it!), our personal growth (hello, PhD journey!), & somehow trying to find a moment to just… breathe. It’s what I affectionately call the "beautiful chaos." But amidst this beautiful chaos, there's one non-negotiable that often gets pushed to the bottom of our very long lists: our own mental well-being. Studies show that regular mindfulness practices can improve focus by up to 20% (), & we need that focus to scale and lead!
I’ve learned, often the hard way, that looking after our minds isn’t a luxury; it's the absolute bedrock of sustainable success & frankly, our ability to show up as the incredible leaders, mothers, partners, & humans we are. I remember a phase last year when I felt completely flattened by everything – business, kids, PhD – & I was snapping at everyone. It was Insight Timer that got me back on track, even just ten minutes a day. It’s about ensuring we have the inner resources, the calm, & the clarity to not just survive the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, but to actually thrive on it. At Femmeprenista, we champion a holistic approach to success, where your well-being is as crucial as your business strategy (as I've shared in more detail Link to: Femmeprenista Female Entrepreneur Support: Find Your Purpose).
So, how do we carve out space for mental wellness when time is our most precious (and often scarcest) commodity? Well, thankfully, technology can be our friend here. I'm a big believer in working smart, not just hard, & that includes leveraging tools that can support us. That’s why I’ve put together my curated list of the top 5 mental wellness apps I believe will be game-changers for ambitious female entrepreneurs like us in 2025. These are tools I’ve either explored, seen the benefits of, or that come highly recommended for the unique pressures we navigate.
Why Mental Wellness Apps? More Than Just a Nice-to-Have
Let’s be honest, the entrepreneurial journey, especially when you’re also a mother, is an intense marathon, not a sprint. There are days filled with incredible highs – landing that dream client, seeing your vision come to life, the pride in what you’re building & then there are days that test every fibre of your being – the self-doubt creeps in, the overwhelm feels crushing, or you’re trying to conduct a serious business negotiation whilst mentally running through the list of ingredients for that evening’s dinner & simultaneously trying to ignore the sound of what might be a small explosion from the playroom. Sound familiar? Thought so!
Proactive mental wellness is what gives you the resilience to ride these waves. It’s about cultivating an inner steadiness that allows you to lead with clarity, make sound decisions, & keep your creative spark alive. Investing in your mental wellness with tools like these directly supports your capacity to show up fully, ensuring you have the energy & clarity to thrive in all areas of your business & life – a core principle we explore within Link to: The Business Flourish Framework because it truly fuels your journey. These apps provide the ability for Foundation Builders (entrepreneurs just starting out who need clarity) & scaling leaders (established businesses ready for exponential growth) to create focus, and scaling leaders to have more energy to create a higher impact.
These apps aren’t about adding another "should" to your plate. They're about providing accessible, practical support that can fit into the pockets of your day – whether that’s five minutes of mindfulness while the kettle boils, a guided meditation before a big presentation, or a calming story to help you switch off after a demanding day. Honestly, even a little bit makes a difference; you know that feeling when you finally get the toddler down for a nap & you sneak away for five minutes of peace? These apps can give you that sense of calm, even amidst the beautiful chaos. As a CEO & mother of four, I personally understand the 'beautiful chaos' these apps can help you navigate (you can learn more about my journey & Femmeprenista's mission Link to: About Femmeprenista).
I remember once trying to follow a guided meditation for 'deep focus' while my toddler daughter was using my yoga mat as a trampoline & my six-year-old was giving a very loud, impromptu concert to our (very patient) dog, Espresso. Deep focus felt... optimistic at that point! I briefly considered joining her on the trampoline! But it taught me that even a few minutes of intentional calm, snatched whenever & wherever, can make a difference, & tools like Headspace make finding that targeted support easy. I remember one day feeling so burnt out that even Headspace felt like too much effort. But then I just put on some calming music, & it was a start.
My Curated List: Top 5 Mental Wellness Apps for Ambitious Female Entrepreneurs in 2025
I’ve chosen these apps based on their effectiveness, accessibility (covering both free & subscription options), & their specific relevance to the challenges & aspirations of women juggling demanding businesses & family lives.
1. Insight Timer: Your Universe of Free Mindfulness
What it is: Insight Timer boasts one of the largest free libraries of guided meditations, talks, music tracks, & courses from teachers all over the world.
Why it’s brilliant for us:
Variety is the spice of life (& sanity!): Whether you need a 5-minute breathing exercise to ground you before a difficult conversation, a 20-minute meditation for stress relief, or an inspiring talk on resilience, you’ll find it here. This is fantastic when you're not quite sure what you need, or your needs change day-to-day.
Budget-friendly power: The sheer volume of high-quality free content is incredible, making it accessible for entrepreneurs at every stage, from Foundation Builders just starting out to Scaling Leaders watching their budgets.
Community feel: You can see how many people are meditating with you around the world, which can be a lovely reminder that you’re not alone on this journey.
Cost: Largely free, with an optional subscription (MemberPlus) for offline listening, courses, & extra features.
2. Headspace: Guided Journeys to a Calmer Mind
What it is: Headspace is known for its user-friendly interface & structured meditation courses on everything from stress & anxiety to focus & sleep.
Why it’s brilliant for us:
Clear, simple guidance: If you’re new to meditation or prefer a more guided approach, Headspace excels. Its foundational courses are excellent for building a practice.
Targeted support: Need to sharpen your focus before a deep work session? There’s a meditation for that. Feeling overwhelmed? There are specific exercises to help. This targeted approach is perfect for busy entrepreneurs needing quick, effective solutions.
"SOS" meditations: Short, 2-3 minute meditations for moments of acute stress or overwhelm – a lifesaver when you’re up against it.
Cost: Subscription-based (offers a free trial).
3. Calm: Find Your Peace, Especially at Night
What it is: Calm offers a wide range of meditations, music, mindfulness exercises, & is particularly famous for its "Sleep Stories" narrated by well-known voices.
Why it’s brilliant for us:
Sleep is your superpower: As entrepreneurs, especially mothers, quality sleep can feel elusive but is so crucial for our energy, clarity, & emotional regulation. Calm’s Sleep Stories are designed to help you drift off peacefully.
Soothing soundscapes: If meditation isn't your thing, the calming music & nature sounds can create a more peaceful working environment or help you unwind.
Masterclasses on well-being topics: Beyond meditation, Calm offers audio programs on topics like mindful eating & breaking bad habits, contributing to a more holistic sense of well-being.
Cost: Subscription-based (offers a free trial).
4. Clementine: Mind Care for the Modern Woman
What it is: Clementine is an app designed specifically by women, for women, using hypnotherapy techniques to help with confidence, anxiety, sleep, & body positivity.
Why it’s brilliant for us:
Tailored to female experiences: The content directly addresses common female challenges & aspirations. It feels very understood.
Short, impactful sessions: Many sessions are just 5-15 minutes long, making them easy to fit into a packed schedule. Perfect for that "squeeze it in while the kids are momentarily distracted" moment.
Hypnotherapy for deep shifts: If you're looking for something beyond traditional meditation to help shift limiting beliefs or build inner confidence, Clementine’s approach can be very powerful. It helps cultivate that inner certainty needed to make bold moves in your business.
Cost: Subscription-based (offers a free trial).
5. Balance: Your Personalised Meditation Coach
What it is: Balance offers a unique approach by creating personalised meditation plans that adapt to your experience & goals over time. It asks you questions about your meditation experience, goals, & challenges, then tailors content accordingly.
Why it’s brilliant for us:
Feels like 1:1 guidance: The personalization makes it feel like you have a meditation coach in your pocket, guiding you step-by-step. This can be great for building consistency.
Evolves with you: As your practice develops or your needs change (e.g., more stress one week, need for focus another), the app adjusts, keeping it relevant.
Skill-building focus: Balance aims to teach you the underlying skills of meditation, so you become more self-sufficient in your practice over time. This is incredibly empowering for long-term mental fitness.
Cost: Typically offers a free first year, then transitions to a subscription.
Weaving Wellness into Your Wonderfully Hectic World
Okay, so we have the tools. But how do we actually use them when it feels like there isn’t a spare second in the day?
Start Small & Be Kind to Yourself: You don’t need to find an hour. Five minutes is a fantastic start. Seriously. Five minutes of focused breathing can reset your nervous system.
Anchor it to an Existing Habit: Try a short meditation while your morning tea is brewing around 7:30 am when the kids are eating breakfast, or listen to a calming track during your commute (if you have one!), or just before you check your emails. If you always check your emails at 9 am, try listening to a calming track for five minutes before you dive in.
Schedule It (Loosely!): If it helps, block out 10-15 minutes in your calendar. But if that feels too rigid, just aim for "sometime today." I know all too well that with little ones, the best-laid plans can go awry when someone suddenly needs a snack, a cuddle, or has decided to redecorate the living room wall with permanent marker (yes, that happened).
Involve the Family (If You Want): Sometimes, a short, calming kids' meditation can be a shared moment of peace. Or, it might be your sacred solo time – & that’s perfectly okay too!
See it as an Investment, Not a Chore: Every minute you dedicate to your mental well-being is an investment in your clarity, your creativity, your patience, your resilience… & ultimately, your business's success & your family's happiness. It’s about creating those internal systems of calm & focus that allow everything else to flow more smoothly.
Your Wellbeing, Your Unshakeable Foundation
My lovely Femmeprenistas, in the whirlwind of building empires & raising humans, please remember that you are your business's most valuable asset. Taking ownership of your mental well-being isn't just an act of self-care; it's a profound act of personal responsibility & one of the smartest business strategies you can implement.
It’s about equipping yourself with the inner strength to navigate the inevitable challenges, to celebrate the wins with genuine joy, & to build a business & a life that truly nourishes you from the inside out.
These apps are simply tools to support you on that journey. Explore them, find what resonates, & remember that even the smallest steps towards inner calm & clarity can make a world of difference. You’ve got this.
Carlene Nisbett
Founder & CEO, Femmeprenista (Coach, Mentor, Speaker)
Wife, Mother of four, Business Owner, PhD Researcher, Pet mom, Plant mom, 5'0" tall Passionate Multitasker & Wine Lover, You get the drift
P.S. This workbook is just the beginning!
If you're looking for a supportive community of like-minded female entrepreneurs who get it, why not pop over and say hello?
We'd love to welcome you!
Comments