Imagine you’re having a rough morning. (Difficult, we know). You’re overworked, stressed out, and have a million things on your mind. Your phone pings. Now what? you think. But it’s not bad news—it’s a calming quote, a link to a serene nature scene and a stress management tip. Doesn’t seem quite so bad now, does it?
This is TruSage, the brainchild of Encinitas psychologist, author, and wellness expert Brian Alman. It’s a text-based program designed to teach mindfulness techniques using a format that, for most, has become a prominent or preferred form of communication. “TruSage is a collection of clinically proven techniques that are designed to help people immediately and long-term,” he says.
There are a few different options, like those that delve into the roots of your stress or help manage stress-related bad habits, but each method is backed by research. The goal is to get the user to take a minute to de-stress wherever they are. “Life is every day and people get stressed every day, and nobody’s going to go to therapy or counseling or get a coach every single day,” Alman says.
Users can choose to receive texts weekly or at another preferred frequency. Most plans start with a 12-week automated text program that can be tailored to the user’s specific stress management needs via questionnaires. It also tracks patterns and provides a little extra support when needed. “The majority of people need to learn skills, techniques they’ve never learned, that’ll help them manage their stress,” Alman says. However, he cautions that TruSage is not meant to take the place of therapy. “There isn’t really one cure-all that works for anyone who’s stressed. Everybody’s stressed. It’s meant to be a daily support.”
Want to try before you buy? Sign up for a free week at trusageinternational.com.
