With the rising accessibility of mobile phones and applications, more people have relied on these technologies for health-related purposes. Data from a survey found that nearly two-thirds of US adults have used mobile health apps over 2022. These include exercise or fitness, general wellness, and mental health apps— nearly six in ten consumers use these apps daily.
With this growth comes changes to people’s overall health. Fitness and exercise app users saw the most significant impact, as 27% noted a positive difference in their physical health. If you’re interested in getting a wellness app to see benefits to your health, below are our four app recommendations to help you improve your physical and mental well-being.
WeightWatchers
Establishing why you want to lose weight is hugely important. While everyone’s motivation for weight loss is different, health is often one of the top concerns. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared, even a modest weight loss of 5% to 10% of body weight can decrease your risk for chronic diseases by improving blood pressure, blood sugars, and blood cholesterol. Given these benefits, many people often engage in diets, some of which are hard to do as it involves restricting food to eat, which reduces their motivation to keep on going.
Fortunately, personalized weight loss programs on WeightWatchers don’t focus on restrictions; what you eat is up to you. With the help of nutrition and behavioral scientists, you can find the best way to reach your goals and beat common weight-loss hurdles, such as stress-eating or late-night snacking. After a survey, you receive a customized plan and access to WeightWatchers’ Workshops— offering unlimited accountability and support from professional coaches and other members to continue with positive weight loss habits.
Future
Exercise is a necessary part of improving not only physical health but also mental well-being. It has long been established that physical activity can do your body good by improving your heart health and managing diabetes and other illnesses. Further research has found that physical activity can reduce anxiety and uplift mood— contributing to better mental health. Despite these positive effects, many people struggle to sustain exercise habits due to poor motivation, a lack of time, or limited knowledge on appropriate and safe exercises for their unique needs.
Future is designed to help beginners overcome these hurdles through virtual personal training. Through professional guidance, subscribers can get a customized training plan that fits their needs and preferences, which can be adjusted with their coach in real time each week. The application also works well with the Apple Watch, enabling users to share their biometric information with their coaches to address questions or concerns.
Meditopia
With rising problems in the economy and other social factors, American stress levels are higher than ever. A survey by the American Psychological Association found that as many as 26% of respondents expect more stress this 2023 compared to previous years. In addition, 37% of adults rate their mental health as “fair or poor.” These numbers are especially concerning as poor mental health can interrupt daily functioning and productivity.
To help people overcome their negative mental state, guided meditation apps like Meditopia assist people through meditation and mindfulness practices. You can add music or a timer and track your progress depending on your preferences. The application presents different categories, from reinforcing positivity or helping manage intense emotions and periods, such as before sleep or during a small break. Through this customizability, users can build greater consistency without worrying about needing more time.
Alms
Much like physical health, it’s essential that people take vital steps to improve their mental health. While standard tools like journaling and therapy help, some may seek other ways to motivate themselves to improve their lifestyles. The solution presented by the social network Alms is to foster friendly competition between like-minded individuals.
From improving their work-from-home lifestyle to accomplishing physical activity in their routine, the app challenges its users to stick to positive habits and even post their progress— allowing you to inspire others and be inspired by others through comments. Although it's one of the most recently launched apps on this list, Alms has seen positive impacts on its members through its focus on real life and fostering a positive-minded social space.
With plenty of health apps available online, it’s only a matter of time before you can find the best app that works for you and your health.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also find my piece on little ideas paying off interesting. All these apps will have started with an idea - do you have one worth pursuing?