“We created Rhea to make recovery more personal and accessible.”
– Rhea Health Team
Let’s be real, student life is messy. Between juggling classes, work, social life and trying to keep your brain from turning into mush, it’s easy to feel burnt out and stressed.
That’s why IGNITE partnered with Rhea Health, a recovery app created by students to help students reset, recharge and bounce back.
Rhea isn’t just another wellness app; it’s packed with science-backed workouts, breathing exercises and mental health tips designed to fit right into your juggling schedule.
It has tools that help you feel more like yourself again, whether you’re recovering from a concussion, dealing with stress or just need a quick brain reset between classes.
I spoke with the Rhea team to learn the story behind the app. Here’s what they shared.
How Rhea got started
Rhea started as a research project at the University of Toronto, co-founded by Dr. Michael Hutchison, an expert in exercise and brain recovery, along with a team of researchers, athletes and recent grads.
“We’re a small but mighty team — most of us are former students and athletes, so we understand how overwhelming life can get,” the team shared.
At first, Rhea was built to help student athletes bounce back from concussions. But it didn’t take long to realize it could do way more.
Rhea’s goal is simple – to make recovery and mental wellness more accessible, structured and personal for everyone.
Built by students, for students
What makes Rhea different? It wasn’t dreamed up in some fancy boardroom. It was made by people who’ve lived the student hustle.
“Sometimes I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water. My own struggles with anxiety and burnout helped shape the mental health part of the app. We wanted it to feel like a helpful buddy, not another chore,” said Jenna, a recent grad on the Rhea team.
Ryan, the head of product, shared a similar story.
“When I was a student, I had a concussion and all the mental and physical fallout that came with it. That experience shaped almost every choice we made building Rhea,” Ryan informed.
So, the team didn’t just rely on data, they brought their real lives and struggles into the mix. The result? A tool that balances science with empathy, structure with simplicity.
So, what exactly is Rhea?
Think of Rhea like a brain-friendly workout plan, but for your whole self.
It offers easy-to-follow movement and recovery routines that change based on how you’re feeling that day, whether you’re exhausted, stressed or somewhere in between.
Here’s what you get:
- Quick workouts you can do anywhere
- Guided breathing and relaxation
- Journaling prompts to check in with yourself
- Symptom tracking and personalized plans
- Educational content that’s easy to understand
No gym required. No fancy gear needed. You don’t even have to leave your room. Rhea’s built around seven key movement patterns that help you move better and feel better.
“These aren’t just random exercises. They’re designed to build your confidence, lower stress and help you take back control,” said their team.
Recovery and stress relief
Rhea kicked off focused on concussion recovery and it’s still great at that. But as more students used it, something else happened, they started noticing better focus, mood and energy too.
That’s when the team saw the bigger picture.
“Our research showed these methods also help with mental health, managing stress, boosting focus and lifting energy,” said the team.
Now, Rhea has two tracks:
- Concussion recovery: for healing after brain injuries
- Mental health and stress relief: for burnout, anxiety, brain fog and emotional overload
Both tracks offer personalized, science-backed support, built for students juggling, well, a lot.
Mental health support that fits your day
Sure, we all know movement helps with stress. But when you’re tired and swamped, getting started feels impossible.
That’s where Rhea steps in. “It’s quick, easy, and fits into your day. Use it on a study break, after class or whenever you need to reset,” the team added.
Since it’s an app, it’s always with you, a private, no-judgment spot to pause, breathe and feel a bit better. For many students, that’s way less intimidating than traditional options.
Mental health isn’t about waiting for a meltdown. It’s about small steps, every day, even when things are good.
“Even a few minutes can make a difference,” said their team.
“Recovery isn’t a straight line, especially for students juggling everything. So, we made Rhea flexible, it meets you where you’re at,” Ryan said.
Get your free Rhea subscription!
Here’s the good news, IGNITE has teamed up with Rhea Health to offer the first 500 students at Humber Polytechnic and the University of Guelph-Humber a free app subscription right now. Don’t miss out!
No cost. No catches. Just download the app, answer a few quick questions and you’re ready!
Students can sign up using their school email and the code Rhea-IGNITE to claim their free, personalized recovery plan.
IGNITE is always ready to help you access mental health support more easily!
Stay healthy and take good care!
Feature image courtesy of Rhea Health
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