Many of us are spending a lot more time indoors these days as many work places and schools have gone remote. That means activities like wellness and cooking classes, as well as therapy, continue to be virtual instead of in-person appointments. There are apps for everything and every type of interest, including health apps, which is great because some of us prefer to do things at our own pace, outside of a structured class.
If you are still staying true to your New Year’s resolution to get healthy, you may be trying to eat healthier or work on improving your mental health. With these goals in mind, here are some apps to make taking care of your health and your mind a little easier.
Free
Need more inspiration beyond online cooking classes? Try the Manna app. Manna was created to share with others while you are cooking at home. Manna is for everyone, from the amateur who doesn’t know how to boil an egg, to more experienced cooks who can whip up a soufflé in no time. Manna isn’t just a recipe app, it’s also a cooking network that enables you to connect with others while you’re cooking at home. You can swap recipes and follow your friends and family and interact with other users, including posting photos of your successes—or failures! Some interesting features include a Cookalong feature that gives you step-by-step instructions as well as a scanner that allows you to make a formatted recipe quickly and a recipe editor that lets you personalize recipes. You can even organize your and others’ recipes into a personalized cookbook.
$59/month
Or maybe you’re looking to take better care of your overall health. The Noom app is a good place to start. The program was designed by psychologists to help you fulfill your health goals and needs in a long-lasting way. Noom helps with weight loss through behavior changes and aims to help you get your health on track for the long term with one-on-one health coaching and group support.
$260-$396/month. Accepts insurance.
Talkspace, a confidential online therapy app, is perfect for those who want to connect with a specialist virtually to address their mental health needs. A qualified specialist is available to speak at a time that is convenient for you, even if it’s late at night. You have the option of speaking to a therapist via text, video chat, or telephone call. To begin, you complete a quick assessment, then pick your therapist—Talkspace connects you with the right provider for your needs—and you can start. You also can switch therapists to best suit your needs. The Unlimited Messaging Therapy Premium plan ($316 monthly) includes daily responses from your therapist, up to five days per week, and a 30-minute live session every month.
Free. Premium is $9.99/month.
Designed by psychologists and featured in Vogue, Moodnotes is an app which, by helping you keep track of your mood, also helps you improve your thinking habits. It allows you to determine the cause of your present mood and develop more positive thinking habits. The premium version enables you to make unlimited entries every day and use Moodnotes’ “Notable Insights” section to learn even more about your mood and increase self-awareness.
7-Day Free Trial. $69.99 billed annually.
Calm claims to be the “#1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation.” With Calm, you can work your way through guided meditation sessions, which can help reduce stress and anxiety while also improving your sleep. Calm is suitable for everyone, from beginners who have never meditated before to advanced users. With sessions as brief as a few minutes, or as long as 25 minutes, you are sure to find something that will fit your schedule.
These are just some apps and services that you can try to help keep you on track as you move forward to achieve your New Year’s health goals.