By: Samantha Wineke, Functional Medicine Health Coach.
It’s that time of year again! The holidays have come and gone, and most of us are in need of some help to get back on track with our health goals. I’ve polled some of the practitioners here at Physio Logic to give you all a list of, what we think are the best health apps to help you take advantage of technology and make the most of 2020. Whether you’re looking for help with getting a restful night’s sleep, fitting in a workout, your mental health, or an accountability buddy, we’ve got a health app for that!
For a good night’s rest: Sleep Cycle
It’s no secret that a lot of us have trouble sleeping, according to the American Sleep Association, 50-70 million US adults have a sleep disorder. Getting a proper night’s sleep is essential for processing memories, regulating appetite and metabolism, detoxifying the brain and body, and stabilizing mood. (To learn more about this, check out our podcast episode on Sleep Hygiene).
Sleep Cycle is a simple tool that can help you track your sleep to see if you’re experiencing any sleep disturbances throughout the night (such as tossing and turning, snoring, waking up) and how much deep sleep you are getting. My favorite part is that you can also set an alarm for what time you’d like to wake up (for example, between 6:15 AM and 6:45 AM), and the alarm will wake you up at your lightest sleeping stage so that you wake more easily and don’t need to snooze.
For a quick workout: 7-Minute Workout
Excuses be gone! You can’t say you don’t have time for a 7-minute workout. This health app puts together a sequence of bodyweight exercises (no equipment required) that can fit whatever time frame you have. So, if you have a 10-minute break at work, or need to fit in a workout in a hotel room, this app has you covered. It is also helpful for someone starting to work out for the first time- the app will demonstrate proper form, helping you to learn some workout basics.
For your mental health: Talkspace
Mental health is a huge component of overall health that cannot be ignored. Taking care of your mental health can be difficult, let alone finding a therapist that fits with your personality and your schedule. We love Talkspace because it allows you to find a therapist specific to your needs and allows you to bring your therapist with you anywhere you go. It also allows you to choose a plan based on how much support you need, so that even if you just want to text with your therapist you can!
For an accountability buddy: stickK
We’ve all done it: you’re incredibly motivated on January 1st, but by the time Valentine’s Day rolls around, your willpower starts to dwindle. That’s why we need to come up with accountability tools while we’re motivated that will help to push us through the days that we’d rather return to our not-so-healthy habits. This health app uses two techniques to help you make those habit changes- social accountability and the possibility of financial penalty. First, this app forces you to get clear and honest about your goal and timeline. Then, it forces you to commit to giving money away (for example, to a friend or charity) if you don’t meet your goal. Talk about accountability!
Reaching a goal isn’t about willpower; it’s about setting clear goals, action steps, and backup plans. Before you know it, all of your small, consistent steps will add up to a life-changing year. Author, Matthew Kelly once said “Most people overestimate what they can do in a day, and underestimate what they can do in a month. We overestimate what we can do in a year, and underestimate what we can accomplish in a decade.”
Of course, having the best health apps isn’t always the only answer. If you’re looking for a more personalized approach to your health and wellness goals, give us a call or reach out to us by filling out the form below.