Best stress management apps for teens
Tools to help teens build emotional resilience
Updated February 18, 2026
In this article
The teenage years can be exciting, but they can also be stressful.
School pressure, friendships, social media, and life changes can leave teens feeling overwhelmed at times.
Stress is a normal part of growing up, but learning how to manage it early can make a big difference to emotional wellbeing.
Stress management apps can offer practical, gentle ways for teens to pause, reflect, and cope with everyday challenges without feeling like they are adding another task to their day.
From mindfulness exercises to mood tracking, the right app can help teens feel more aware of their emotions, build coping skills, and feel more in control over time. So let's get into the best options.
luna
Age rating: 11+ (13+ in the US)
luna helps teens understand how everyday life, hormones, and emotions can all influence stress levels.
Through mood, symptom, and cycle tracking, teens can start to notice patterns in energy, motivation, and stress, helping things feel more predictable rather than overwhelming.
This can be especially helpful during exam periods, friendship changes, or emotionally demanding times.
Alongside tracking, luna offers expert-reviewed guidance around common teenage stressors such as school pressure, perfectionism, social comparison, and feeling overwhelmed.
The aim isn’t to “fix” stress, but to help teens understand it and build healthier coping habits over time.
Teens can explore topics privately and ask anonymous questions, with all information medically reviewed to ensure it stays safe, age-appropriate, and reassuring.
For many families, luna works as an early-support tool – helping teens build emotional awareness and manage stress day to day, rather than only seeking help once things feel unmanageable.
MindShift
Age rating: 13+
MindShift is built around CBT-based strategies to help teens manage anxious thoughts and feelings.
It provides tools to calm racing thoughts, practise mindfulness, and break down worries into manageable steps.
Teens can use it anytime they feel overwhelmed or need a structured way to cope with stress.
Check out MindShift.
Medito
Age rating: 4+
Medito offers short, simple guided meditations for stress relief, focus, and relaxation.
It’s designed to make mindfulness approachable, even for beginners, and teens can choose sessions that fit into their schedule.
The app also includes breathing exercises and mindfulness courses that grow with their needs.
Check out Medito.
Insight Timer
Age rating: 13+
Insight Timer offers thousands of guided meditations, music tracks, and calming soundscapes.
Teens can pick short exercises for quick stress relief or longer sessions for focused relaxation.
The variety makes it easy to experiment with different methods and find what helps most.
Check out Insight Timer.
Breathwrk
Age rating: 13+
Breathwrk provides guided breathing exercises designed to reduce anxiety, calm the nervous system, and improve focus.
It’s ideal for teens who need a fast way to relax during stressful moments, like before exams or after a long day.
Regular practice can also improve sleep quality and overall emotional resilience.
Check out Breathwrk.
Worry Watch
Age rating: 4+
Worry Watch helps teens record worries, track outcomes, and see patterns over time.
By noticing which worries come true and which don’t, teens can feel more in control of anxious thoughts.
It’s especially helpful for teaching perspective and breaking the cycle of constant rumination.
Check out Worry Watch.
SuperBetter
Age rating: 4+
SuperBetter turns emotional resilience and coping skills into a fun game.
Teens complete small challenges, unlock achievements, and track progress while building real-life strategies to manage stress.
The app encourages a positive mindset and reinforces that small actions add up over time.
Check out SuperBetter.
Smiling Mind
Age rating: 4+
Smiling Mind provides structured, age-appropriate mindfulness programs for teens.
It guides them through short meditation exercises that build awareness, emotional regulation, and focus.
The app is gentle, easy to use, and helps teens practise mindfulness without pressure.
Check out Smiling Mind.
Rootd
Age rating: 4+
Rootd offers immediate, on-demand guidance for calming panic and anxious thoughts.
It includes exercises, grounding techniques, and tools to understand triggers.
Over time, teens can track patterns in anxiety and learn strategies to feel more in control.
Check out Rootd.
Yana
Age rating: 13+
Yana allows teens to track moods, reflect on daily stressors, and notice patterns over time.
It provides gentle prompts for self-reflection and encourages emotional awareness.
The combination of tracking and journaling helps teens identify what increases stress and what helps them feel calmer.
Check out Yana.
Do stress management apps work for teens?
Yes – stress management apps can help teens understand their feelings, practise coping strategies, and find moments of calm when life feels overwhelming.
For many teens, small daily habits such as breathing exercises, journaling, or guided relaxation can reduce stress and build emotional resilience over time.
However, apps work best as support tools, not as a replacement for real-world help.
If stress is constant, affecting sleep, school, friendships, or confidence, or if your teen seems persistently overwhelmed, additional support may be needed.
Apps can help teens learn coping skills, but they cannot replace professional care or ongoing support from trusted adults.
If you are noticing ongoing stress or changes in behaviour, it may help to speak with a doctor, school counsellor, or mental health professional. Early support often prevents stress from developing into longer-term anxiety or burnout.
You can also read our guide on helping your stressed teen, which explains common causes of stress, how parents can help at home, and when to seek extra support.
Used alongside open conversations and appropriate support, apps can still play a positive role.
They can give teens a starting point for understanding stress, practising healthy coping strategies, and building confidence in managing challenges independently.
How we created this article:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. All articles are created by experts, and reviewed by a member of luna's senior review team.
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