The Raki Journal

Emotional wellness, explained.

Science-backed articles on mood tracking, emotional intelligence, and building the habits that make life feel a little lighter.

ScienceJuly 10, 2026· 6 min read

Your In-the-Moment Self-Awareness Is More Accurate Than You Think

A new UC Davis smartwatch study found older adults could accurately judge their own mental sharpness in daily life — and mood barely distorted it. Why brief, honest self-check-ins are real data.

Read article →
ComparisonJanuary 6, 2026· 7 min read

Best Meditation & Mindfulness Apps 2026 — What's Actually Different

Most meditation apps promise personalization but only route you through a questionnaire. Here is which mindfulness apps genuinely adapt to you — and what that difference means in practice.

Read article →
BreathingMay 1, 2025· 7 min read

Box Breathing: The Complete Guide (4-4-4-4 Technique)

Box breathing is used by Navy SEALs and surgeons to perform under extreme pressure. Here is the exact technique, the science, and when to use it.

Read article →
ADHDMay 1, 2025· 8 min read

Meditation for ADHD: Does It Actually Work? (The Real Answer)

Short answer: yes — but not the way you've been trying. Here's what the research says and why most ADHD adults fail with traditional apps.

Read article →
SleepJanuary 13, 2026· 9 min read

Best Sleep Meditation Apps in 2026 (Honest Ranking)

Calm, Headspace, Raki, Balance, and Insight Timer ranked by personalization, sleep quality, and real-world results.

Read article →
AnxietyMay 1, 2025· 10 min read

10 Breathing Exercises for Anxiety Relief (Science-Backed)

Ranked by how fast they work. From the physiological sigh (60 seconds) to coherent breathing (10 minutes of sustained calm).

Read article →
SleepMay 1, 2025· 8 min read

How to Fall Asleep Fast: 8 Science-Backed Techniques

4-7-8 breathing, body scans, the military sleep method, and 5 more techniques that are proven to reduce sleep onset time.

Read article →
ComparisonJanuary 20, 2026· 8 min read

Calm vs. Headspace (2026) — Honest Comparison + A Third Option

Both are good. Neither is right for everyone. Here is the honest breakdown — and why a third option now outperforms both for specific use cases.

Read article →
HabitApril 1, 2025· 6 min read

How to Track Your Mood Every Day (and Why It Actually Works)

Mood tracking sounds simple. But most people quit within a week. Here's the science on what makes it stick.

Read article →
ScienceApril 8, 2025· 5 min read

What Is Affect Labeling? The 20-Second Trick That Calms Your Brain

Naming an emotion reduces its intensity by up to 63%. Here's the neuroscience behind why.

Read article →
RoutineApril 15, 2025· 7 min read

The 2-Minute Daily Mental Health Routine That Actually Fits Your Life

You don't need an hour for therapy or 20 minutes for meditation. This is the minimum effective dose for daily emotional health.

Read article →
ComparisonMay 1, 2025· 9 min read

Best Mental Health Apps in 2025: An Honest Comparison

Calm, Headspace, Daylio, Reflectly, Woebot, and Raki — tested and compared. Which one is actually worth your time and money?

Read article →