Free Resources to Help You Through Coronavirus within the Next 30 Days
It goes without saying that this is an unprecedented time filled with stress, anxiety, and dealing with the unknown. Whether you have moved to indefinite remote status with your company, or those who are artists, photographers, musicians, freelancers, restauranteurs, entrepreneurs… I understand what you’re going through.
As a follow-up to my previous article about self-care, I wanted to provide some resources to help anyone and everyone based on their respective situations. Let’s continue to stay positive, move throughout the day, be productive, and find opportunities to work through this, together.
Stay safe, and please know that you are not alone.
Mindfulness
Calm | Michael Acton Smith, CEO:
Calm is a meditation, sleep and relaxation app, available in both the App Store and Google Play store. Calm creates unique audio content that strengthens mental fitness and tackles some of the biggest mental health challenges of today: stress, anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
Recent email from Calm as of 3/17: We’ve created a free resource page with meditations, stories, music, talks and more, all hand-picked to support your mental and emotional wellness. All of these resources are free of charge.
I personally use Calm as my go-to meditation app. There are daily, guided meditation practices on top of the already existing 7-day courses to anxiety-relief, happiness, productivity, and many more. Free trial for one week, or 30 days free with code. Click here
Headspace |Richard Pierson, CEO:
Headspace is a startup with one simple goal: Make meditation accessible to everyone. It does this through a smartphone app full of “guided meditations” — audio sessions where one of the company’s co-creators leads listeners on a journey of contemplation.
Two weeks free; annual plan breaks down to $5.83 a month! Headspace breaks up meditation courses into moods, how your feeling, and sleep. As someone who struggles to fall asleep, I found it to be an amazing resource to drift off.
Insight Timer | Christopher Plowman, CEO:
Did you know that people spend almost 3x more time on Insight Timer than many other apps who have 10 times more downloads and a bazillion times more revenue? Insight Timer is the world’s largest free library of guided meditations on earth and the world’s most loved meditation Timer.
If you have been wanting to try meditation, but you were unsure of how to start, then Insight Timer is a great, free way to get introduced to meditation! They have 10–20 minute sessions, and it’s perfect for anyone ranging from beginner to expert.
Productivity
Coffitivity | Justin Kauszler & ACe Callwood, Founders:
Supported by science and backed by a community of creative people using the app every day, Coffitivity is the perfect addition to the workday arsenal
Coffitivity recreates the ambiance of a cafe, which has proven to boost creativity and productivity. Take a trip around the world from a French Café all the way to Brazil.
Zoom | Eric Yuan, CEO:
Zoom unifies cloud video conferencing, simple online meetings, and group messaging into one easy-to-use platform.
Since most are now working from home, freelancers and remote workers alike can use this free video and web conferencing app to stay in touch with coworkers and clients alike. The basic package is free to use.
Just announced: Zoom CEO, Eric Yuan, will be giving Zoom capabilities to schools K-12 for free. Read more in the Forbes exclusive.
Slack | Stewart Butterfield, CEO:
Slack is where work flows. It’s where the people you need, the information you share, and the tools you use come together to get things done.
With Slack, you can create as many chats as you would like for your company. It’s designed to replace email, and great for when you need immediate responses from coworkers. You can organize slack channels by department, group discussions, etc.
Airtable | Howie Liu, CEO:
Airtable is the all-in-one collaboration platform empowering 80,000+ companies. 200+ Templates. Spreadsheet Interface. Real-time Collaboration. Free to Sign Up.
A power organizer, Airtable allows you to create spreadsheet that can act as a database for CRM, tasks management, project management, and tracking inventory. It’s user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
Get Outside
Strava | James Quarles, CEO: Designed by athletes, Strava is a great way to stay in touch with millions of runners and cyclists. Hello social distancing, and yet, still staying in touch with your friends!
AllTrails | Jade van Doren, CEO: Nature isn’t closed, so AllTrails is a great way to find new places to explore. It has the largest collections of maps and trails to guide you to hidden gems all over the world. AllTrails includes hiking, biking, backpacking, and running trails all GPS tracked so you don’t lose your way.
At Home Workouts
Pure Barre On Demand | Christina Russell, CEO: While the PureBarre On Demand isn’t new, their 60 day trial is. If you enroll in the free 30 day program, you will automatically be rolled into an additional 30 days.
Corepower Yoga On Demand | Eric Kufel, CEO: While the studios remain closed, CorePower opened up their On Demand Yoga Classes to non-members and members.
Kara Duval IG Live: Boston native, Kara Duval who preaches “pilates for the people” has started doing Instagram lives to help keep people moving while in self-quarantine. While they are free, I also want to mention to #supportsmallbusiness she is also accepting donations via Venmo / PayPal to help keep her afloat.
Dailyburn | Tricia Han, CEO: Free 30 Day Trial that includes cardio, pilates, barre, strength training, and yoga.
Nike Training Club| John Donahue, CEO: NTC is a free app that gives you free workout plants from strength training to mobility. It features Nike athletes and trainers that guide you through each exercise.
Online Opportunity for Continued Learning
HubSpot Academy | Brian Halligan, CEO:
HubSpot is a developer and marketer of software products for inbound marketing and sales. Its products and services aim to provide tools for social media marketing, content management, web analytics, and search engine optimization.
If you have been wanting to improve your skill set, or even make a career change, consider using HubSpot Academy’s free online courses. You will receive a certification of completion at the end of your course, which would be great to show off on your LinkedIn!
Skillshare | Matt Cooper, CEO:
Skillshare aims to empower people in order for them to excel in their careers, improve their lives, and pursue their passion, as well as, the work they prefer. The online learning community ensures that users will be able to access high-quality learning.
There are thousands of free classes taught by thought, and industry, leaders in their respective fields. Skillshare is a great way to further hone-in on specialty courses, learn a new skill, or even pursue a passion project.
YouTube | Suzanne Wojcicki, CEO:
We believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share and build community through our stories.
YouTube, a video-sharing platform and second highest search engine in the world. You can find anything from tutorials, classes, meditation sessions, etc. on the platform. No need to go on since most of you are familiar with YouTube, but you can find just about anything here in terms of online learning!
Adobe | Shantanu Narayen, CEO
Adobe is changing the world through digital experiences. We help our customers create, deliver and optimize content and applications.
Currently, Adobe is offering 60 days free for new subscribers, and even crediting current creators on their subscription with the Adobe programs. During this time, every little bit counts. I added Adobe as an opportunity for continued education program because not only do they have built-in tutorial programs, but you can teach yourself new skills on any Adobe program through the companies listed above.
I share more intimate thoughts about self-care during this time.
If you are having trouble, or need someone to talk to, I am always available as a resource. Or, join me on various social media platforms:
