Not all screen time has to be inherently unhealthy. In fact, there are a number of smartphone apps that can actively encourage you to live a healthier life by tracking everything from your diet to your sleep. Other apps can meanwhile help manage conditions ranging from heart disease to pregnancy by helping you keep track of medication or letting you monitor the progress of your baby. Read on to discover more about the 5 top types of health apps.
Exercise apps
Exercise apps can get you moving and encourage you to work towards physical activity goals by recording various metrics such as your step count, miles run, calories burned or weights lifted. You can find exercise apps targeted towards specific sports like running and cycling, while others offer a more general overview on workouts. Some of these apps can send alerts and reminders to encourage you to exercise, while others can allow you to track progress over time to see how you have improved. Many can also be used on smart watches to record heart rate and blood pressure.
Nutrition apps
On top of helping you exercise, health apps can also help you to eat more healthily. There are many nutrition apps that can help you track elements like calories, nutrients and sugar intake by scanning barcodes or logging meals. Do your homework in order to search for the most accurate nutrition tracking app so that you know exactly what you’re putting in your body. Some nutrition apps can also help with tasks like meal planning and weight loss targets.
Sleep apps
Don’t overlook sleep apps. These apps can help you track the quality of your sleep by using sensors to detect sounds and movement. Some of these apps can also allow you to optimize alarms to wake you up during phases of light sleep so that you don’t feel as groggy. Insomnia-focused apps may also have features like guided meditation or white noise recordings that may help you to fall asleep easier. There are also apps that can help you with your bedtime routine including notifying you as to when to stop using your phone.
Women’s health apps
These apps help to track menstrual cycles and fertility windows so that you know when to expect your periods and when to plan pregnancies. Such apps can also flag up irregularities and potentially help you manage conditions like POCs. If you fall pregnant, some apps can also help you to monitor the progress of your baby so that you know how long you have until your due date and so that you can plan for each stage. Take your time to research different apps to find the best one for you.
Medication management apps
Need help keeping track of your prescription medication? Medication management apps can alert you when you need to take pills and also store information such as dosage instructions. This prevents you from missing your meds or overdosing. Such apps may also be able to alert you of when you need to refill or order new medication. There are even online pharmacy apps that you can order medication from – which could include setting up ongoing prescriptions.
The owners and authors of Cinnamon Hollow are not doctors and this is in no way intended to be used as medical advice. We cannot be held responsible for your results. As with any product, service or supplement, use at your own risk. Always do your own research and consult with your personal physician before using.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
