These health apps are a great way to keep strong, fit and healthy – without a doctor’s visit!
By Diane Small
Thanks in no small part to having a small army of specialists to train them, feed them and guide their every move, celebs who put the effort in, like Madonna, Jessica Alba and Kim Kardashian, always look amazing.
But if you’re not fortunate enough to have your own personal trainer, nutritionist and psychologist on staff, there’s still hope: you can get pretty sound health, nutrition and fitness advice from a simple app.
All of these apps below have been created with the direct consultation of some of the best psychologists, nutritionists, doctors and health care specialists around.
Take advantage of their know-how and turn your health around with these handy apps.
All of which are absolutely free (at the time of writing!).
Apps To Boost Your Physical & Mental Health
General Wellness
1. Vision Test
Finding it hard to read? Things looking fuzzy? Not sure if you might be colour blind or not? This simple app is useful if you think your sight may be going downhill. Many eye conditions are slowly degenerative, and this app could help you know when it’s time to visit the optometrist for a check up.
One of the best health apps for: Those who are seeing things a bit fuzzy
Where to find it: Free on iTunes
2. Petralex
This is a hearing sensitivity test that can be used with headphones. It is brilliant for letting you know if it’s time to see a doctor about your hearing. But get this: it also acts as a hearing aid. Bonus!
One of the best health apps for: Those who find themselves saying ‘pardon’? a lot.
Where to find it: Free on iTunes and Google Play
3. Fertility Friend
This health app is easy to use. It tracks your ovulation and period dates to give you an idea of when you’re at your most fertile. It also helps you know when your period is coming, so you can plan around that if need be.
Still not getting preggers? It may not be your fault! Go see a doctor to be sure of what’s going on.
One of the best health apps for: Anyone who really wants – or doesn’t want – kids.
Where to find it: Free on iTunes
4. First Aid by British Red Cross
Looking for up-to-the-minute information on life-saving techniques, including video tutorials? This is the app for you! It could actually save someone from a heart attack, choking and other disasters. Perfect for those over 60, or those with small kids.
One of the best health apps for: Those who want to be prepared for anything!
Where to find it: Free on iTunes or Google Play.
5. Sleepio
We all have a sleepless night or two. But if this is a continuous problem that’s plaguing you, check out Sleepio!
Created by sleep expert Professor Colin Espie, this app delivers personalised cognitive behavioural therapy techniques to help you relax and drift off to slumber.
One of the best health apps for: Those with mild insomnia.
Where to find it: Free with an in-app purchase on iTunes.
Health & Fitness
6. Find Me Gluten Free
It may be trendy to be gluten-free these days, but for some people, it can be a very serious health concern. Which is a drag, because from pasta and pizza to sandwiches and cereal, most food has gluten! Luckily, this app tracks down the nearest shops stocked with gluten-free treats, no matter where you are.
One of the best health apps for: Those with gluten intolerance.
Where to find it: Free on iTunes and Google Play.
7. Move Your App!
It’s a fact that sitting is the new smoking. And by that, I mean: sitting for long periods of time is really, really bad for your health.
To help reduce the weight gain, cardiovascular disease and circulation problems associated with sitting at a desk for long stretches, this app buzzes to remind you when to move around a bit.
One of the best health apps for: Those stuck working at a desk all day.
Where to find it: Free on iTunes
8. Ate Visual Diet Diary
Losing weight can be tough. But it’s made a bit easier with this app!
I allows you to track your weight loss visually with pics, time-lapse movies and fitness paths, showing you just how far you’ve come and spurring you on to lose more. Better than checking the scales!
One of the best health apps for: Those on a weight loss journey.
Where to find it: Available on iTunes
9. My Meal Mate
Let food be your medicine with this great app! It monitors your food intake and exercise, too, to help you drop some flab. In trials, users lost an average of 5kg over six months. But that’s not all! This app also helps you notice how your mood affects your eating.
One of the best health apps for: Learning more about how food affects your body, and how moods affect your food intake. Ideal for those who stress-eat.
Where to find it: Free on iTunes and Google Play.
Psychology
10. Focus@Will
Find yourself easily distracted? Need to buckle down and focus but just….can’t? This app claims to boost your attention span by a whopping 400% by using neuroscience-based music. Apparently, research shows this does indeed work–but for about 65% of the population.
One of the best health apps for: Those who think they may have a bit of ADHD (attention deficit disorder) or who just cannot find their focus.
Where to find it: Free on iTunes and Google Play
11. Smiling Mind
This app was the brainchild of two mindfulness and meditation enthusiasts in Australia. They set out to make mindfulness and meditation accessible to everyone, whatever their budget, and wherever they might be. All you need is 10 minutes a day.
This app offers guided meditations for adults, but is mostly geared toward children to improve their mental health, focus, and academic performance. Since 2012, the app has successfully reached 4.1 million young people.
One of the best health apps for: Kids who need to focus, and/or calm down.
Where to find it: Free on iTunes and Android
12. Headspace
Need a mental break? It’s easy to relax and unwind with this app! It was created by monk and meditation expert Andy Puddicombe. You’ll find hundreds of guided and non-guided meditations here. Perfect for stressful situations, or better yet, set aside 20 minutes a day for this one to reach true inner bliss.
One of the best health apps for: Highly strung folks; those learning how to meditate.
Where to find it: Free for 14 days on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.
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