The books in this video (and linked below) are a great base for anyone interested in growing in their Business, Financial or Professional sphere’s and should be top of your reading list, as some of the most useful and insightful books across the topic with takeaways that you can utilise in your own life.
Mental health has always been an incredibly important part of life, but only in recent years has it started to get the attention it deserves. Most of us could use some guidance in this area, especially after the effects of a global pandemic, 2 years of relative isolation and several lockdowns.
With that in mind, we at The Renaissaint have compiled a list of 10 great apps with various offerings that may help you stay on top of your mental health.
Shmoody
Shmoody describes itself as the “Swiss army knife of wellness”. A name it delivers on by providing a large variety of helpful functions that primarily target depression, anxiety, addiction and low mood. The app creators also claim to have gone through the ordeals mentioned above and based the app on how they themselves got through and manage in their own lives. Shmoody describes its key features as action plans, community, and weekly challenges. Action plans include activities like taking a day off work, to writing a gratitude list. The Shmoody community is described as a refuge for people going through similar experiences, especially those who find it hard to talk and the weekly challenges revolve around personal development and serve as another positive drive in Shmoody users’ lives.
This app aims to give users more awareness about their emotions and what factors in their lives are triggering negative thoughts. The app includes a daily mood tracker, negative thoughts tracker, and cognitive distortion tracker. The developer also states that they intend to include ‘advice from a psychotherapist’ function in the future. So if you’re after an app that will help you figure out some healthy practical changes you can make to your lifestyle, this could be the app for you.
Breeze is free, but some premium features are locked behind a subscription service costing £17 per month or £100 as an annual subscription.
Headspace is a meditation app whose mission statement is to teach its users ‘the life-changing skills of meditation and mindfulness in just a few minutes a day’. Headspace is one of the more high-profile apps on this list and provides access to recorded sessions that you can use in the app or download and use offline. Headspace will require a membership payment in the long term, but you can get a 10-day beginner’s course as part of your free trial. So if you are looking for an app the helps you relax rather than provides you with psychological advice, this is probably the app for you. Assuming that you can spare £9.99 a month or £50 a year if you pay upfront. Since Headspace states that they already have over 40 million users, perhaps it is worth the money.
What’s Up? utilises cognitive behavioural therapy to help users combat depression. However, it complements this with Acceptance Commitment Therapy to help users combat depression, anxiety, stress and other low moods as efficiently as possible.
Some of the app’s features are:
A detailed description of twelve negative thinking patterns and the methods to beat them.
Ten metaphors designed to help users deal with negative thoughts.
A thought diary that includes an intensity rating scale out of ten.
A grounding game of more than one hundred questions to help you anchor yourself during periods of intense stress.
Three calming breathing techniques.
There are even more features to this app, and they sound as inventive and effective as those listed above. So if you’re struggling to cope with stress and negative thoughts, then this could be just the anchor you need! Best of all, it’s free; I guess you can’t put a price on good health…
What’s Up? – Mental Health App is available on the Google Play and the App Store
MindShift CBT – Anxiety Relief
MindShift is a self-help app that uses CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) strategies to help users manage anxiety. Some of the tools at a users disposal are belief experiments, comfort zone challenges and building fear ladders. MindShift also provides its users with calming audio to listen to and a community forum they can access. The developers pride themselves on being completely free and easy to use. They state that all their exercises are presented in small chunks with lots of supporting information to help users seamlessly integrate CBT into their lives. If you’re unfamiliar with CBT and mindfulness and looking for a supportive way into it, this app sounds like it could be great.
This app does what it says on the tin… it motivates its users. It does this by providing daily motivational quotes. Users can choose how many positive quotes they wish to receive a day, and they will receive a custom push notification containing these quotes at the times they pre-selected. There is a premium and a free version available, so there is no reason not to try this app before you buy it and see if it pushes you to reach your goals! Premium only costs £1.66 a month (billed annually).
As the name suggests, Happify is an app designed to make the user happier. So how does it do this? Well, Happify provides “Tracks”, which are courses users can undergo to work towards better mental health. Happify’s tracks are split into categories like personal growth, relationships, work and money. This formula allows users to focus on aspects of their lives that matter the most and branch out from there. Users can also view and track their “happiness score” to monitor their progress.
What’s quite interesting about Happify is that the apps content is developed by scientists and experts in psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness. Happify costs $14.95 (or £11.05) a month unless you make an annual payment which takes it to a $6.95 (or £5.13) per month equivalent.
Rise up + Recover is an eating disorder recovery app. It contains dietary monitoring and management tools for multiple eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia and Binge Eating.
What impresses me about this app is its utility; lots of mental health apps that target disorders tend to target one disorder and specialise in that but Rise Up + Recover tries to help people who are struggling to increase how much they are eating as well as people who are focusing on decreasing their intake. No one gets left behind.
The app comes with a meal log, emotion tracker, a coping skills section and the ability to download PDF summaries. All of these features indicate a supportive and practical app to help you take accountability for your progress.
Rise Up + Recover: An Eating Disorder Monitor is available on Google Play and the App Store
Calm
Calm is a sleep and meditation app that states it is recommended by top psychologists, therapists and mental health experts. Like many other mental health apps, Calm offers users ‘sessions’ on areas users may want to improve in their lives from an extensive list including forgiveness, non-judgement, deep sleep, and stress management. The sessions involve guided meditation and are available in various lengths, from three to twenty five minutes.
Some other interesting features available in the app are:
A Daily Calm: A daily ten-minute program to help you relax and/or sleep.
100+ Sleep Stories: adult bedtime stories guaranteed to lull you to sleep.
Relaxation-based breathing exercises.
Daily streaks to motivate daily app usage.
A viewable “time spent meditating” tracker to see how far users have come.
A Calm subscription costs $12.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
Relax Now is a somewhat quirkier meditation app that incorporates hypnotherapy into its available material, including recordings with David Ridgeway, a certified hypnotherapist. The meditations on the app are supposed to either energise you in the morning or relax you at night. This app also offers users ‘tracks’; but theirs are a combination of spoken narration and ‘soothing, uplifting binaural music’ put together by Ridgeway. It also comes with an eBook of fifty tips for living a healthier lifestyle.
As we say goodbye to 2021 and turn our attention to the new horizons of 2022 it is a time of reflection and looking forwards. 2021 was a difficult year for cinema, with numerous major releases being delayed and many cinemas sadly having to close as a result of the pandemic, but we should all remember that the year also saw some fantastic releases to put a shiver down your spine, a lump in your throat and, most importantly, a smile on your face!
2022 seems in prime position to meet these high standards again, with several incredible high-profile releases slated for the year. So, to make sure you don’t miss out on a single cinematic sensation this season here’s our list of the Top 10 not to miss this year!
10. Nightmare Alley
The newest film from one of the most twisted directors in the business is sure to kick off the new year with a bang, as Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley promises to bring a thrillingly sinister story to the silver screen. Exploring the magical world of the carnival and the mystic mythology that surrounds it, Nightmare Alley boasts an all-star cast with Bradley Cooper taking the reins and a plethora of stunning supports from Willem Dafoe to Cate Blanchett to Ron Perlman. Whilst this frightening fairground ride of a film might be a bit too scary for the fainter of heart, those who relish a hair-raising experience will find it right down Nightmare Alley.
Release Date: 21 January 2022
9. Sherlock Holmes 3
This one has been a long time in the making. Due to be released a full ten years after the series’ last instalment, Sherlock Holmes 3 seeks to become the best of its saga and to capture the magic of the original two films. This sequel’s development has very much been defined by both change and continuity, seeing Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr John Watson but replacing Guy Ritchie with Dexter Fletcher as director. The return of Downey Jr and Law come as welcome developments as their combative chemistry remains the highlight of the series so far, but the attachment of Fletcher suggests this new entry will have its own voice, moving away from Ritchie’s fast paced action towards a more character driven affair. For another memorable trip to Baker Street, this is the film for you!
Release date: 2022 (Exact date as yet unconfirmed)
8. Licorice Pizza
Paul Thomas Anderson’s first coming-of-age film looks to be an absolute titan of the genre, already deemed to be the best directed trailer of the last 12 months. Licorice Pizza has what seems to be a basic plot at the surface, following a teenage boy struggling to become an actor and the relationship that develops between him and his friend. However, its performances and characters give it a certain depth that really has to be seen to be believed. Whilst many other films on this list feature a veritable cornucopia of Hollywood heavyweights, Licorice Pizza chooses to fill out its ranks with a number of up-and-coming actors, many featuring in their first major film.
Whilst it does star Sean Penn as the most recognisable name on the cast list the male star Cooper Hoffman (the son of the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman) makes his acting debut. Amongst all the upcoming Hollywood blockbusters of 2022, Licorice Pizza offers something different, a charming, gripping story starring the next generation of cinema.
Release date: January 7th 2022
7. Uncharted
This is one for all those Indiana Jones fans out there who haven’t been able to quench their thirst for adventure since Indy hung up his hat and retired his whip. Based on the best-selling video game series of the same name, Uncharted follows Nathan Drake, a wise-cracking treasure hunter on his first expedition to discover El Dorado, the legendary city of gold. The film will undoubtably attempt to capture the essence of the original game series and there are many encouraging signs to indicate this already, the largest of which is the casting of Tom Holland as Drake, the perfect candidate for the smug explorer. Whilst it might be a bit early to say now, Uncharted looks set to launch a new titan franchise to rival Indiana Jones for its title as the greatest adventure films in cinema and is therefore definitely a release to keep a close eye on this year.
Release date: 18th February 2022
6. The Black Phone
The upcoming release from one of, if not the, biggest names in modern horror, Blumhouse Productions, is certain to give sleepless nights to all those brave enough to lay eyes upon it. The Black Phone tells the story of Finney Shaw, a young boy who must escape the dwelling of Ethan Hawke’s blood-chilling villain The Grabber, with help from the deceased, channelled through the eponymous black phone.
The Black Phone looks set to be the scariest film of 2022 with its horrifying trailer firmly setting the tone for the film’s release, showing scary scenes and differentiating itself from other upcoming horror flicks like Nightmare Alley. Where Nightmare Alley hopes to be fantastically fearsome, The Black Phone is truly terrifying, not hoping to engage in the same kind of wonder of adventure, only interested in causing hairs to stand on end. For a terrifying time call The Black Phone.
Release date: 24th June 2022
5. Knives Out 2
Very little is known about the sequel to 2019’s magnificent murder mystery movie with released information being limited to returning staff and new stars as well as a vague 2022 release date but, as limited as information may be, it is still worth getting excited about. The return of writer and director Rian Johnson, the brain behind the first film, promises to keep the gripping suspense and delightful characterisation of the original, providing a murder mystery film for the modern age, whilst the reappearance of Daniel Craig as the wonder detective Benoit Blanc means a witty and engaging lead to drive the narrative.
The list of familiar faces is a cause for celebration and is surely enough to get mouths watering across the land with Kathryn Hahn, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr. and Dave Bautista appearing as potential suspects. While it may seem easy to ignore this mystifying movie as so little is known about it, do not let it pass you by upon its release as it’s already tipped to be one of the most entertaining films of the year.
Release date: 2022 (Exact date as yet unknown)
4. Nope
Another film that is keeping its cards very close to its chest – almost all information that we have on the film comes from one image released on the director’s twitter in July. The hype for Nope comes down almost entirely to the identity of the director and writer taking charge of the film, Jordan Peele. Peele has made a name for himself in filmmaking recently with some of the best and most interesting horror films of the past 5 years, Get Out and Us, and he will undoubtably seek to continue this trend with Nope.
There are many theories circling on the internet concerning Nope’s plot with suggestions of sentient clouds or malevolent fog banded about and you can spend hours guessing what Peele’s twisted mind has in store for audiences, but one thing that is for certain is the exciting cast. Starring Get Out’s Daniel Kaluuya, Hustlers’ Keke Palmer and The Walking Dead’s Stephen Yeun, the all-star cast has huge amounts of promise, mixing horror, drama and Peele’s pedigree for what is certain to be the most memorable horror film of 2022.
Release date: 22nd July 2022
3. The Batman
There have been many cinematic incarnations of Batman, from Adam West to Michael Keaton, to Christian Bale, each with their own unique flavour and voice but Robert Pattison’s upcoming turn in the cowl is a much darker and grittier take on the famous character from director Matt Reeves. The Batman plays into the dark side of Batman and gives the often-overlooked character of Bruce Wayne a starring role. Focusing on Bruce and on the darker side of the mythology already sets The Batman apart from other takes on the character and the more realistic and grounded setting of an almost noir Gotham makes it unique amongst all comic book films released in the last ten years.
Of course, we can’t really call it a Batman film without the hero’s most defining feature, his villains. Whilst there are appearances of Catwoman portrayed by Zoë Kravitz and The Penguin, played by Colin Farrell, it is The Riddler that takes centre stage in this latest flick. Paul Dano’s take on the character will bring a sense of dread and malevolence to the film (having based his Riddler on the infamous Zodiac Killer) that is sure to creep into the nightmares of audiences in a way unlike any other comic book villains. Fans of the Caped Crusader cannot afford to miss this masterpiece.
Release date: 4th March 2022
2. The Northman
There are two types of people in this world, fans of the films of Robert Eggers and people who haven’t yet seen the films of Robert Eggers. The mind behind the Salem horror, The Witch and the surrealist sea dog tale The Lighthouse, Eggers has one of the best track records in cinema right now with both of his already released films being the most innovative and compelling films of their respective years (and are both well worth a watch if you’re unfamiliar with his work). The fact that Eggers is releasing a new film at all is enough to be excited about but especially when you learn more about this Danish drama.
The Northman is described as a Viking take on the story of Hamlet, with Alexander Skarsgård playing the character Amleth, a Viking prince whose father was killed and whose kingdom was usurped. Whilst the story seems to stay very loyal to Shakespeare’s original tragedy, Eggers mixes in his own trademark metaphorical madness that will no doubt make the film a feast for the senses, with the trailer already showing off some scenes of ethereal Nordic imagery, Valkyries and hermits.
Whilst this film will not be a crowd pleasing blockbuster, as Eggers loves to revel in the vagueness of his stories, The Northman will undoubtably be one of the most thought-provoking films of 2022 and will no doubt stay with audiences long after the credits have rolled.
Release date: 22nd April 2022
1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Part One
It is often very difficult to pick the top spot when ordering films, with almost every film from number 5 to number 2 usually being of such quality that listing them can be tricky, but this is not the case with the number one entry here. The sequel to 2018’s Enter the Spider-Verse promises to capture the same cartoonishly cathartic magic of the original whilst building on the story of Miles Morales; following his transition from trainee to full-fledged Spider-Man in the original.
Several other Spider-People have been confirmed to be appearing in this latest instalment, including the fan favourites Spider-Gwen and Peter B. Parker from the original as well as the new Spider-Woman and Spider-Man 2099. There is no confirmation how many more wall-crawlers will be joining the cast but after the original’s inclusion of Penny Parker and Spider-Ham the scope is almost infinite and it would not be surprising to see many more joining the adventure. The sequel is set to continue with its absolutely stellar casting as Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld and Jake Johnson are all set return to reprise their roles from the original whilst adding the talents of Oscar Isaac and Issa Rae as Miguel O’Hara and Jessica Drew respectively. The characters and their chemistry were one of the many highlights of Enter the Spider-Verse and with this casting news, that trend looks set to continue.
Whilst details of the plot are scarce at the moment, the ending of the original and the evocative ‘Part One’ in the title promises big things in this instalment and frankly, if it manages to capture half the charm of the original it will be the best film of the year. Quite simply, if you only see one film in 2022 make it this one.
It’s that time of year again, the nights are getting longer, the days are getting colder, and the hectic shopping experiences have begun. Though Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year it’s easy to forget how stressful it can be, organising food, family and presents for a perfect Christmas day can sometimes seem like a part-time job so it’s little wonder that every year people find solace in films.
Christmas films have carved out their own cinematic genre by being some of the most heart-warming, joyful, gooey-on-the-inside films ever produced, savings millions of festive families and friends from the exhaustion of the season.
To help you through the holidays for this year at least we’ve amassed 10 of the best Christmas films to enjoy this bleak midwinter.
10. The Snowman
Though you might have only heard of it as the birthplace of the classic Christmas song ‘Walking in the Air’, ‘The Snowman’ is a charming Christmas cartoon that is one of the purest concentrations of Christmas magic possible without injecting eggnog directly into your veins. Whilst the story is nothing to write home about, concerning a young boy and his relationship with a magic snowman, the art style it employs is almost aggressively delightful, both striking and welcoming at the same time and makes this picture one to watch.
9. The Polar Express
Tom Hanks plays 6 different characters. What more do you need? ‘The Polar Express’ is another film that offers a surface level of simplicity (a child attempts to get to the North Pole before Christmas) whilst hiding a huge amount of entertainment value in its depths. The Polar Express’s greatest strength comes in the genuinely surprising levels of tension that it is able to generate. Despite being a cuddly, friendly Christmas cartoon at its very core its action sequences will bring even the most stony-faced of viewers to the edge of their seat.
8. Nativity!
A rather simple and modest Christmas film, ‘Nativity!’ tells the story of St. Bernadette’s Primary School putting on their annual school nativity and the conflict that arises when a white lie spirals out of control. ‘Nativity!’ is by far the cheapest feeling film on this list, being filmed almost entirely in a primary school and missing the A-list names of other festive films, but it is precisely this simplicity that makes it such an endearing watch. It feels pretty flimsy at times, but this is what makes it so lovable and gives it universal opinion for every member of the family.
7. Elf
This film is quite simply Will Ferrell at his finest as he embodies the character of Buddy the elf with the perfect levels of childlike wonder and manic energy to make the film unforgettable. The story of a boy brought to the North Pole and raised as an elf trying to find his way in the real world, offers a whole host of fish-out-of-water moments which are utilised to produce humour through Ferrell’s misunderstandings and heart-warming moments as he brings his innocent and idealistic attitude to a jaded and cynical world. ‘Elf’ is the perfect family film for the holidays, being able to appeal to parents and children alike without a disappointed face in sight. So, if you’re entertaining family and friends this year, this is the film for you.
6. Love Actually
THE definitive romantic comedy with a list of A-list songs as long as Mr Tickle’s arms! Emma Thompson, Rowan Atkinson, Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, and Kiera Knightly to name but a few. Whilst including many of the romcom genres staples, (being utterly charming and completely heart-warming) ’Love Actually’ manages to be genuinely hilarious in a way that very few films in the genre can claim to, with several laugh out loud moments to bring cheer to your Christmas. ‘Love Actually’ has become somewhat iconic in recent years being referenced and parodied in all forms of media so if you’ve never seen it before make sure to take the time to experience this cultural cornerstone.
5. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey’s manic comedic style is perfectly suited to this Dr. Seuss classic as he brings to life the eponymous Grinch as both a threatening villain and a sympathetic joker. The classic book is really brought to life in this festive gem with some of the greatest set and costume design of any film on this list, all of which almost surgically designed to immerse the audience in the town of Whoville. Whilst the Grinch has become so intrinsically linked with the Christmas scene that his film may seem almost cliché for those who haven’t had the viewing pleasure recently, it’s definitely worth going back and enjoying just how good this seasonal tale still is.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
There have been numerous arguments over the status of Tim Burton’s gothic animation as a Christmas film with some believing it is best enjoyed in the run up to Halloween. However, something that is indisputable is its quality. Featuring the greatest collection of songs ever included in a festive film, each guaranteed to have you singing along, and a stop animation style brimming with its own kind of charm, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ is undoubtedly the best film on this list but only manages to secure 4th place as it doesn’t quite manage to capture the cosy Christmas spirit as adeptly as the top three, bringing a certain edge that isn’t for everyone in the Yuletide season.
3. It’s A Wonderful Life
An absolute Christmas classic that has managed to survive almost 70 years to remain as one of the most popular Christmas films to this day. ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ follows George Bailey, a caring man who is down on his luck and his guardian angel who tries to show him the value of his life, offering one of the most engaging narratives in any Christmas film, portrayed to perfection by the star-studded cast. Since it was initially released all the way back in 1946 some of its scenes do seem a bit dated but its compelling and endearing story keeps it relevant despite the grainy black and white presentation.
2. The Muppet’s Christmas Carol
There have been many attempts over the years to capture the magic of Charles Dickens’ seminal novel ‘A Christmas Carol’ but none have done it quite as well as The Muppets in their 1992 motion picture. Almost every muppet lines up perfectly with one of Dickens’ characters, so much so you’ll start to wonder if it was written specifically for them, be it Waldorf and Statler sharing the role of Jacob Marley, or Fozzy Bear as Mr Fezziwig and so much more. Add in the acting powerhouse of Michael Caine as Scrooge and a number of catchy songs and you have a Christmas film for the ages.
1. Miracle on 34th Street
To take first place on this list requires something truly special and that is very much what ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ is. The core of the story comes down to a very simple but intriguing question, how could Santa prove he was Santa? This concept is mixed with a hint of charming characters and a dollop of soothing dialogue, and you have a Christmas film for the ages. Though I believe the original 1947 black and white version is the best way to enjoy this magical story it can be slightly difficult to watch with its poor video quality so if you find this prospect off-putting, the good news is that the 1994 remake captures all of the original’s magic whilst offering a bold new technology, colour film. If you only have time to watch one Christmas film this year, make it this one.
