Today, there’s a mobile app for just about everything, from calorie counting apps like MyFitnessPal to online dating apps like Tinder. And self-care is no exception.
Simply put, self-care means actively taking care of your mind, body and soul. However, sometimes you need help remembering to participate in regular self-care. This is where self-care apps come into play. Amaru is a virtual self-care pet that is different from any other mobile game or app. Let’s take a look at what it’s all about.
What is Amaru: The Self-Care Pet?
You’ve probably heard of Finch, the self-care pet app, and Amaru is a similar virtual pet you can take care of. When you care for Amaru, you are essentially caring for yourself.
Amaru is not only cute, but he is also a wonderful companion. You can play with him, feed him and pet him. All of these actions deepen your bond with Amaru, and each self-care goal you complete increases your aura.
The creators recommend that you play with Amaru for about 10 to 30 minutes per day and collect Goal Gems to maintain your daily streak. If you skip this for an extended period of time, Amaru starts to feel anxious again. The Amaru app has several interesting features, such as gratitude journaling and guided meditation. Now explore these features in more detail and decide if Amaru can help you.
Download: Amaru: The Self-Care Pet for iOS | Android (free, in-app purchases available)
1. Care for and adapt Amaru
When you first meet Amaru, he is full of anxiety and doesn’t trust you. The only way to connect with him is to complete self-care objectives. Once you complete goals from your goal list, he will start to feel better.
You can pet, feed and play with Amaru. This cute little guy loves it when you scratch him and feed him tasty local delicacies, like persimmons, wild carrots and rolls. Additionally, you can customize Amaru’s color and texture to make him look unique. The only downside is that you have to pay to unlock these options.
The more attention you give to Amaru, the more your bond grows. So if interacting with a cute virtual pet is something you would enjoy, this app will appeal to you.
2. Play mini-games or explore
For those who have trouble going back to a mobile app due to boredom, this won’t be a problem with Amaru. You don’t just have to look after your virtual pet; plus, you’ll come back again and again to play engaging mini-games.
If gaming isn’t your thing, send Amaru off on an adventure while you do something else or take a break from your cell phone. He returns later with gifts, gems, treasures and sometimes rarities. Also, the further Amaru explores, the better the prizes.
The mini-games are cute, fun and simple enough for anyone to understand. To play, simply select the mini game you want to participate in. A favorite is Echo Ensemble, which is a game where you will challenge your memory by playing the correct melody. In contrast, Climbing Cairns is a relaxing game where you will test your endurance by balancing rocks.
3. Set and track your self-care goals
When you begin the Amaru game, three goals have already been set for you; However, you can create new goals for yourself. For example, maybe you want to take an online dance class or set a reminder to drink more water.
Once you’ve created your goals, you can edit, delete, and assign gems to the goals you want to complete for that day. It doesn’t matter if you don’t complete a goal as Amaru is still happy to bond with you, but you’ll receive extra bonuses when you maintain a daily streak.
Remember that you can set whatever goals you want, whether it’s waking up earlier, meditating more, taking a break from the screen or connecting with a loved one.
4. Take part in guided meditation
One of the best features of this amazing mobile game is the four built-in guided meditations. First on the list are the special meditations, which refer to the initial exercises to help you maintain regular self-care. Second are the grounding exercises that focus on grounding techniques. Third, the light exercises help you to let go and relax. Last are the enlightening lessons, which encourage positivity towards yourself and others.
Each guided meditation is available at different skill levels, whether you are a beginner, intermediate or expert. You can also choose the length of the meditation and whether you want to listen to music.
Remember that to unlock additional meditation lessons and exercises, you must purchase Echo Stones from the store through in-app purchases.
5. Write in your gratitude journal
The free version of the Amaru app has a gratitude journal that encourages you to reflect on what you are grateful for and explain why. The simple practice of gratitude journaling can help you become more naturally grateful in your everyday life. In addition to writing new entries in your journal, you can also review past entries.
The gratitude journal is a valuable feature; but it would be great to have access to a regular journal to write down your feelings in. Although somewhat limited, it is available without paying.
How much will Amaru: The Self-Care Pet cost you?
Now that you know what the adorable Amaru app is all about, how much will it cost you? There is a selection of different packages you can purchase in the app. Rest assured that some of them cost less than a real pet!
You need to make a single in-app purchase to unlock the All The Things pack, which includes environment and puzzle packs, custom colors, different textures, and all of the app’s base features. This is the most expensive option, but it unlocks everything you need in one purchase. Additionally, there are smaller packages you can unlock for individual fees.
Is it worth it to get the paid version of Amaru: The Self-Care Pet?
The answer to this question depends entirely on you! If you feel like you’d benefit from a virtual pet, it’s a small price to pay for a game that can make you more productive and happy. In addition, the Amaru app has absolutely no annoying ads, whether you pay or not – the team behind the app seems to care about the well-being of its users.
