What are the top health apps to start 2020?

Business Insights
19/02/2020

The UK’s wellness and fitness industry is expected to surpass £22.8 billion by 2020. While the NHS can help you keep track of your calory count, apps such as Smokefree will help you with defeat your tobacco addiction. Data revealed that approximately 29% of the British population made a commitment to lose weight in 2018 but over half gave up after just one month. So, what apps are there to help us stick to our goals in 2020?


Couch to 5k

This app is well-known as the old faithful! Alongside magnesium supplements, nearly everyone who has wanted to improve their health and fitness has heard of the couch to 5k challenge. It’s ideal for those who don’t particularly have the fitness levels to take on marathons but want to increase their physical ability. Presented by Public Health England, it builds you up gradually with a mix of running and walking so that within nine weeks you should be able to run 5 kilometres (3.1 miles). There’s also a choice of five virtual trainers to help you on your fitness journey and keep you motivated.


Pokémon Go

Many might know Pokémon as just a ‘game’. But this app is also useful for getting people active. The popular game works by individuals needing to be active in the community to progress in the game. According to Sport England, one in three kids in England take part in less than 30 minutes of physical activity each day. This was described by Sports Minister Mims Davies as ‘simply unacceptable’. With games like Pokémon Master, this is a great way to get kids active and taking part in an activity they’d enjoy. It was even found that the original Pokémon Go was also helping to bring families together as parents and children were competing with one another as to who could catch the rare monsters.


Harry Potter: Wizards Unite

Likewise the Pokémon Go app, the Harry Potter version can encourage people to move and become more active. For those who aren’t particularly a fan of the Pokémon franchise, this take based on JK Rowling’s creation could be just the thing. It works by users having to complete a certain number of steps in order to open up treasure chests for more loot. Also, as magical creatures and characters spawn on the map in-game, you need to physically travel to move your character across the map. However, unlike the Pokémon take, this game will be able to track your activity without even running the app. Therefore, you’ll be able to track your steps without being synced to the game, and those who like to wear a Fitbit will more than likely agree that this can become a game in itself!


Esquared

Esquared is the perfect app for those who don’t want to commit to a gym membership which often involves a 12-month contract that is hard to opt out of. This app works in the same way as Uber in the sense that it allows you to find gym sessions and one-off classes in your area. The benefit of this app is that it’s non-committal and there are no subscription fees. Currently, it’s only available in London and Sydney, but keep an eye out in case it expands into an area near you!


Babylon

This is an NHS app which allows you to video chat with an NHS GP 24/7 based on appointment. Usually, you’ll be seen within two hours once you make your request, meaning that you no longer have to wait weeks for an appointment or attend a walk-in surgery. It allows the doctor to discuss your symptoms and, where necessary, you can show them your issues on camera.


7 Cups

Undoubtedly, we are to focus on both our physical and mental well-being. In the UK, approximately one in four of us will experience a mental health problem each year with depression and anxiety being the most common. This American-based app helps anyone who feels isolated discuss their concerns and issues thanks to it connecting you instantaneously to one of its 160,000 trained volunteer listeners and licensed therapists. It’s anonymous, free, and confidential. It also allows you to participate in guides chats through group support discussion rooms.


2020 can be the year we all learn to use or smartphones for healthy benefits other than entertainment, texts or calls. With these six apps — as well as the many more available via app stores — you can make steps to reaching your goals and improving your quality of life.


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