For most people, the dawn of a new year brings with it good intentions of improving their health. However, many of those resolutions fall by the wayside as people eventually slip back into old habits and routines. It’s tough to stay focused and make the necessary choices to take care of yourself, even though you know they are in your best interest.
Smart phones are ubiquitous, and most of us spend too much time staring at them (myself included). Unfortunately for us, that means the only part of our body getting a good workout are our texting and scrolling thumbs. The good news is that we can use our phones to help us make those healthier choices – you just need to know about the right apps to download.
For those of you looking for someplace to start, here are a few apps that can add to your health:
Strava – made for cyclists and runners, Strava tracks your activities, including metrics for distance, speed, and calories burned.
Couch to 5K – if you’ve wanted to get into running but aren’t sure where to start, the Couch to 5K app takes you through a 9 week program that can get you ready for your first event.
Headspace – it’s no longer a secret that a meditation practice is not only good for your mental health, it also has proven physical benefits as well. Headspace takes your through simple 10 minute guided meditation to practice mindfulness, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Yonder – great for people who enjoy their adventures outdoors, Yonder helps you locate great places to hike, climb, ski or bike wherever you might be.
MyFitnessPal – the most popular app for tracking your nutrition, MyFitnessPal has an enormous database of foods. It can help you reach your nutrition goals, whether you’re trying to build muscle or lose weight.
Productive – this app is a good organizational tool and habit tracker, and when used, can help you build a routine of positive healthy habits.
Using apps to bolster your health and track your progress can be rewarding (and beware: it can even be addictive!) Some of the apps above, such as Strava and MyFitnessPal, have a social platform built in where you can both challenge and motivate your friends as you work to meet your individual goals. These apps are only suggestions and definitely just a start – there are many hundreds more out there to choose from. Using your phone as a training tool can be convenient and help you push through times that you may not be as motivated to make the healthier choices.
Have a favorite health-related app? Drop us a line and let us know what’s working for you – we’re always looking for ways to improve our wellbeing and to help you improve yours!
