From fitness and fertility trackers to on-demand workouts, memory games and guided meditations, there’s a health app out there for almost everything. The idea of an app a day might sound like a gimmick, but a few well-chosen ones really can make a difference to how you sleep, move and cope with stress. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favourites.
We use our phones for so much already — banking, reading, shopping, travel, photos, even checking the weather. Health apps are just as easy to fold into daily life. Most of the apps below are free, or at least have a free version, so it’s worth trying a few to see what actually works for you.
You may also enjoy 15 Sure-Fire Ways to Relax and De-Stress
Our Top 10 Health Apps
Clue
This period and fertility tracker is a great way to keep a record of your cycle, symptoms and sex frequency. Make a note of everything from bloating and cramps to discharge and tender breasts, and see at a glance how regular (or not) your cycles really are.
Cost: Free to download and use; premium content available
You may also enjoy A to Z: How to Look Polished and Groomed (Even When You’re Not!)
MyFitnessPal
As well as tracking your daily calorie intake and activity levels, MyFitnessPal lets you look up the nutritional breakdown of a huge searchable food database and add your own favourites. Build a personalised diet profile and use the community forums to chat with (and get support from) other members.
Cost: Free to download and use; premium content available
You may also enjoy 10 Quick Ways for Busy Parents to Reclaim Some Me-Time
Headspace
Learn to meditate in just a few minutes a day and discover how mindfulness can help transform your daily life — one of the simplest ways to make “an app a day” a genuinely calming habit.
Cost: Free to download; subscription options available
You may also enjoy Learn How To Be Happier: 3 Easy Steps You Can Start Today
Charity Miles
Get fit and run, bike or walk for a good cause. Choose from a range of well-known charities, and the more you move, the more funds get raised on your behalf. Distance and activity are tracked using your phone’s GPS and motion sensors.
Cost: Free to download and use
You may also enjoy 9 No-Nonsense Beauty Tips for Busy Mums
Sleep Cycle
No one wants to be roused from a lovely dream, and Sleep Cycle knows that. The app uses sound analysis to track your natural movements while you sleep. It recognises when you’re in your lightest sleep stage and wakes you gently, within your chosen window, so you hopefully feel more rested.
Cost: Free to download; subscription options available
Happify
How you feel matters, and it often gets forgotten amid the pressures of work, family, money and everyday life. Happify aims to build your happiness and mindfulness through easy games, activities and daily tasks — a good reminder that small changes can make a big difference.
Cost: Free to download and use; premium content available
You may also enjoy Why Decluttering Is Good For Your Mind
PEAR
Fancy a personal trainer at the drop of a hat? PEAR offers interactive workout sessions you can fit around work and home life, with options to search by activity, duration or coach.
Cost: Free to download; subscription options available
Blogilates
YouTube fitness star Cassey Ho’s Blogilates app puts recipes, workouts and daily inspiration in your pocket. Follow the monthly workout calendar packed with pilates and HIIT challenges.
Cost: Free to download and use; premium content available
You may also enjoy How to Choose Your Ultimate Signature Candle Scent
Instant Heart Rate: HR Monitor
In under 10 seconds you can check your pulse and heart rate — just place your finger on your phone’s camera and let the app do the work. It’s a handy, quick way to get a sense of how your body is responding to stress.
Cost: Free to download and use; premium content available
Lumosity
This brain-training app is a great way to keep the grey cells working. Put your critical thinking, speed, memory and problem-solving skills to the test with games and activities designed to challenge your mental muscles.
Cost: Free to download and use; premium content available
You may also enjoy Expert Advice: Take 10 Minutes A Day To Be Your Best Self
What health apps do you use that we should add to our list? Leave a comment below and let us know — we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for these health apps?
Most of the apps on this list are free to download, with optional premium or subscription features if you want extra content. You can try the free version first and decide from there whether an upgrade is worth it for you.
Which app should I start with if I’m new to health tracking?
Start with whichever area matters most to you right now — sleep, stress, fitness or cycle tracking — rather than trying to use several apps at once. One app used consistently is more useful than five downloaded and forgotten.
Are these apps suitable for teens as well as adults?
Many of these apps, such as Headspace, MyFitnessPal and Lumosity, are used by people of all ages. For apps involving cycle tracking or health data, it’s worth talking to your teen about privacy settings and what information they’re comfortable sharing.
Can these apps replace advice from a doctor?
No. These apps are useful for everyday tracking and habit-building, but they’re not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your health, sleep, heart rate or cycle, speak to your GP or another qualified healthcare provider.
Related Reads
- 15 Sure-Fire Ways to Relax and De-Stress
- 10 Quick Ways for Busy Parents to Reclaim Some Me-Time
- Why Decluttering Is Good For Your Mind
Liked this round-up? Bookmark it or share it with another parent who could use a little more calm, sleep or headspace in their day.
Want More Ideas Like This?
Sign up for our newsletter and get a weekly dose of practical ideas for family life, wellbeing and things to try with the kids — straight to your inbox, no pressure to act on any of it.
