11 Best Physical and Mental Health Apps for 2019

Your phone puts an unlimited amount of resources at your fingertips. You can Google anything, navigate a road trip, and even order groceries. But did you know that you can also take charge of your mental and physical health with your phone? Yep, you can connect with a therapist, meditate through a challenging time, monitor your sleep, and more.

According to NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. — 43.8 million, or 18.5 percent — experiences mental illness in a given year.” Left untreated, mental illness can lead to chronic medical conditions.

So, take a break from social media and emails for some important self-care. Here are some apps that will help you do just that.

Headspace

Mental Health Apps: Headspace
Image courtesy of Headspace.

This beautifully designed app offers meditations based on different subjects like focus, happiness, anxiety, regret, and sleep. Designed to train your mind, the Headspace meditations last from 10 to 30 minutes and allow you to set goals. We hear actress Mandy Moore is a big fan.

Cost: Free version available; all-access starts at $8 a month.

Noom

A membership-based weight-loss app, Noom focuses on setting nutrition goals and coaching users through diet and exercise. It creates a customized plan, with the goal to “stop dieting, get life-long results.” Track your meals using their database of popular foods and track your weight loss so you can check-in on your progress daily.

Cost: Intro offers available; membership costs average $30 a month.

Sleep Cycle

mental health apps: Sleep Cycle
Image courtesy of Sleep Cycle.

Do you ever feel you aren’t getting the sleep you need (and deserve!)? Sleep Cycle can help you figure out what’s going on with your ZZZs by using your phone to sense your rhythms. The app will learn your sleep patterns and will wake you up at the perfect time, so you’ll feel well-rested and refreshed to start the day.

Cost: Different memberships are available starting at $4.99.

Trainiac

Think of it as having a motivational coach in your back pocket. Trainiac allows you to work with a certified trainer to tailor workouts to your lifestyle and skills. Once you are matched with a trainer, there will be daily or weekly check-ins, depending on your goals. Stream workouts in your home or on the go, using the equipment you already have.

Cost: Free trial available, or $49.99 a month.

Happify

Do you find yourself trying to overcome negative or stressful thoughts? The Happify app is built to help you manage anxiety with tools to take control of your feelings. As they say, “Small slices of time can make big-time changes,” so the app allows you to complete little tasks and games to retrain your thoughts. You can also measure your mental health progress over time.

Cost: Starts at $14.99.

CARROT Fit

Mental Health Apps: CARROT Fit
Image courtesy of CARROT Fit.

Not your typical fitness and weight-loss app, Carrot Fit touts itself as your “judgmental fitness overlord.” The app provides short workouts and snarky motivation to get you in shape, and even has a session called “7 Minutes in Hell Workout.” What does it entail? “CARROT will have you traveling through time, escaping from an elite squad of attack ostriches, and punching Justin Bieber in his pretty face.” Sound like something that will motivate you?

Cost: The app is $3.99.

Moodnotes

A diary of sorts, Moodnotes allows you to track your mood and pinpoint what influences it. Think of it as a helping hand in identifying the cause of that nagging feeling. Over time, Moodnotes will help you bring new perspectives to situations and avoid triggers to negative feelings.

Cost: The app is $4.99.

Charity Miles

This app allows you to get fit and make a difference by turning a run, hike, or walk into a fundraiser for good. Simply choose your charity and get moving while the app tracks your activity. For every mile you complete, the charity of your choice will earn money. A win-win!

Cost: The app is free.

WaterMinder

We all know the benefits of drinking water, but sometimes we need reminders to meet our daily goals. WaterMinder calculates the recommended amount of water based on your weight and height and will send you alerts to drink your H2O until you’ve met your goal.

Cost: The app is $4.99.

Talkspace

Ever wish you could connect to a therapist on the go? Talkspace offers access to more than 3,000 licensed therapists at a lower cost than traditional in-office sessions. Once matched with a therapist, you can have face-to-face video sessions, phone calls, send notes, and schedule, all from your phone. Talkspace even offers therapy for teens and couples.

Cost: Plans start at $49 a week.

Calm

Mental Health Apps: Calm
Image courtesy of Calm.

A meditation and sleep app, Calm does exactly that: it settles and calms your mind so you can focus, relax, and sleep. Their sleep stories even include a series narrated by Matthew McConaughey. No wonder it’s praised as the world’s “happiest app.”

Cost: Free trial available; memberships start at $12.99 a month.


Macaire Douglas lives in Chicago with her husband and two sons. She proudly supports Share Our Spare, a local nonprofit that collects goods for children in need.

 

 

 

 

 

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