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Free Wellness Apps
Free Wellness Apps
You’ve probably heard of Calm, one of the best wellbeing and meditation apps available. It offers meditations for dozens of topics as well as new daily meditations, plus sleep stories, breathing exercises, stretches and more. It’s a great way to help you calm down and reduce anxiety, whether you have a few minutes or a lot longer. It’s free to download and access the basics, then you can subscribe if you want to access the full content.
Download for iOS and Android.
If you want to practice being more mindful and a bit less stressed, Headspace is another great app for you. It’s one of the best free wellbeing apps because it has literally hundreds of guided meditations on just about everything. There’s something for everyone—no matter what’s stressing you out. Use their sleep meditations to fall asleep easier, start your day on the right foot with their morning sessions and more. Plus, you can track your mood and progress, add friends and more. Free to download with the option to upgrade to a subscription for more content.
Download for iOS and Android.
MyFitnessPal is a health and fitness tracking smartphone app and website. The app is available for Android and iOS devices.
Reflectly can help you take a few minutes each day to slow down, reflect on how you’re feeling and feel less stressed. It’s a self-care journal driven by AI that’ll give you personalized daily prompts to help you keep journaling and reflecting. Use the basics for free or upgrade to a Premium subscription for $3.99.
Science has shown that keeping track of what you’re grateful for can reduce stress and make you feel all-around happier. GRATEFUL gives you a simple prompt like “What made you smile today?” to help you get started, then you can write as much or as little as you like. You can come back at any time to look back on all the things you have to be grateful for. Also, it includes a 15-day free trial, then you can upgrade to the unlimited version.
Download on iOS.
Want to focus on creating some good habits? Even simple things, like drinking more water, doing a bit of yoga or going for a quick walk each day can have big benefits. HABIT is one of the best free wellbeing apps to help you track all of your habits. It’ll even create streaks to encourage you to keep going and focus on all the self-care you need! Plus, it’s totally free and doesn’t have any ads.
Download for iOS.
If you’re having trouble sleeping lately, this app might help. Sleep Cycle helps you track your sleeping patterns and analyzes them to help you find new ways to sleep better. Plus, it also has sleep stories to help you fall asleep more easily. It can even can track when you’re in a lighter sleep and wake you up gently to leave you feeling more alert in the mornings. It’s free to use and you can upgrade to Premium for more features.
Download for iOS and Android
If you’re really looking to practice yoga more seriously, get DAILY YOGA. There’s literally hundreds of guided yoga, pilates and meditation sessions. Plus, there’s dozens of yoga programs you can follow to grow your abilities. Get coached, track your progress, join communities to stay accountable and more. Get the 7-day free trial and then upgrade if you’re loving it.
Download for iOS and Android.
Podcasts
Podcasts
Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos has studied the science of happiness and found that many of us do the exact opposite of what will truly make our lives better.
Based on the psychology course she teaches at Yale — the most popular class in the university’s 300-year history — The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos will take you through the latest scientific research and share some surprising and inspiring stories that will change the way you think about happiness.
CLICK HERE for More Info
Best for Debunking Wellness Myths
In her podcast Food For Thought, nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert aims to simplify the world of wellness, answering some of the biggest questions surrounding nutrition, fitness and mental health. In ‘The Truth About Carbs’, for instance, she defends carbohydrates – which are often given a bad rep – with help from Registered Dietitian Hala El-Shafie. She also talks childbirth with Prof. Lucilla Poston, Head of Women & Children’s Health at Kings College London; and delves into mental health with fellow podcast host Fearne Cotton.
Listen here
Best for Meditation Tips
10% Happier with Dan Harris
Newsman Dan Harris turned to meditation after having a panic attack live on Good Morning America. He quickly became a convert, and went on to write a book, create a meditation app, and most recently start a podcast. Instead of leading listeners on guided meditations, here Dan interviews experts and practitioners about everything surrounding meditation: from making habits to self-acceptance to stress. A listen will leave you feeling calm, reflective and motivated. tenpercent.com
Best for Relationships
Unlocking Us with Brene Brown
Researcher and author Brené Brown is joined by a plethora of insightful guests her in relationships-based podcast, Unlocking Us, which unpacks and explores the ideas, stories, experiences and media that reflect and epitomise our universal human experiences. From parenting to enemies, building resilience to nurturing curiosity, there’s at least one episode for everyone, and plenty more uncovering something you probably didn’t realise you were interested in. brenebrown.com
Blogs
Blogs
25 Valuable Health and Wellness Blogs to Follow in 2023-2024
FITNESS
1. ACE Insights Blog
1. ACE Insights Blog
acefitness.org/resources/pros/expert-articles
The American Council on Exercise’s blog has fitness articles on a variety of topics such as yoga, strength training, and exercises for beginners. Articles are backed by guidelines and recommendations from the American Council on Exercise.
2. The Art of Healthy Living
2. The Art of Healthy Living
The Art of Healthy Living offers fitness articles related to subjects such as exercise supplements and high-intensity interval training. It also covers food and nutrition topics and general health and well-being trends.
3. Nerd Fitness
3. Nerd Fitness
This blog serves up health and fitness advice from a self-described “full-time team of 25 supportive nerds (and a massive worldwide community).” Besides a fun and engaging blog, Nerd Fitness offers an online coaching program, at-home workouts, and free resources.
4. MyFitnessPal Blog
4. MyFitnessPal Blog
This is the blog of nutrition tracking app MyFitnessPal. Get healthy recipes, nutrition advice, weight loss tips, fitness inspiration, and more.
5. Shape
5. Shape
The website for fitness magazine Shape has tons of free articles, including step-by-step workouts, nutrition advice, and mental health insights. There are also weight-loss tips, plans, and videos.
6. Well+Good
6. Well+Good
Well+Good is a wellness blog with articles on fitness, nutrition, beauty, and more. The journalism-based fitness site features interviews with fitness experts, practical fitness tips, and videos to walk blog readers through workouts.
NUTRITION
7. Bites of Wellness
7. Bites of Wellness
Bites of Wellness founder Samantha Rowland is a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and fitness chef. Her site contains recipes for those with various diets, including gluten free, low carb, and dairy free. The site also contains workouts and wellness insights, such as how sleep relates to weight loss.
8. Eating Bird Food
8. Eating Bird Food
Brittany Mullins, a holistic nutritionist, runs this site and shares healthy recipe creations focused on whole foods. She also features articles on wellness and workouts.
9. Health Magazine
9. Health Magazine
Health magazine’s nutrition section offers nutritionist-researched articles on foods, diets, and nutrition trends. Find the health benefits of certain ingredients, learn about the benefits and pitfalls of various diets, and get tips for eating healthy.
10. Healthline Nutrition
10. Healthline Nutrition
Healthline’s nutrition blog features daily research-based articles on nutrition and weight loss. Learn about foods you should eat more of, foods to avoid, and the scientific reasoning behind everything the site teaches you.
11. Nutrition Stripped
11. Nutrition Stripped
nutritionstripped.com/articles
Nutrition Stripped is a website founded by Registered Dietitian McKel Kooienga. She shares articles on trending nutrition topics using science to teach readers about popular food subjects and diet habits.
12. Oh She Glows
12. Oh She Glows
The Oh She Glows blog features vegan recipes, most of which are also free of gluten, soy, and processed food. Recipes are accompanied by founder and cookbook author Angela Liddon’s inspirations and insights.
13. NutritionFacts.org
13. NutritionFacts.org
Founded by Michael Greger, MD FACLM, NutritionFacts.org provides the latest in nutrition research via videos, blogs, podcasts, and infographics. The site has plenty of information on the benefits of a whole food, plant-based diet for wellness, disease prevention, healthy weight management, and longevity.
MENTAL HEALTH
14. Calm
14. Calm
The Calm blog comes from the relaxation app of the same name. Find news regarding meditation research plus tips on how to cultivate mindfulness and practice meditation.
15. DailyOM
15. DailyOM
The Inspirations section on the DailyOM website is full of wisdom designed to boost mental and spiritual health. Bite-size articles provide daily encouragement and thought-provoking passages to embrace mindfulness and a deeper sense of interconnectedness.
16. HealthyPlace
16. HealthyPlace
The HealthyPlace site has dozens of mental health blogs dedicated to specific mental health concerns. These include ADHD, bipolar disorder, binge eating, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression.
17. Mellowed
17. Mellowed
mellowed.com/category/health-wellness
Mellowed is a website designed to help users decrease stress in their lives. The site’s Health & Wellness section features articles on topics ranging from improving sleep to boosting brain health to naturally lowering blood pressure.
18. National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
18. National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI)
This national organization offers mental health support and resources, including this blog. It reflects on current events, trauma, and racism and how they shape our mental health.
19. The Mighty
19. The Mighty
The Mighty bills itself as “the world's largest online health community” and even has its own app. People share their stories and connect with others around mental health, chronic illness, rare diseases, disability, and more.
20. Student Minds
20. Student Minds
Student Minds is a blog for and written by university students covering a variety of mental health issues, including eating disorders, depression, and substance-use disorder. The blog has practical tips and unique voices throughout.
21. Tiny Buddha
21. Tiny Buddha
Tiny Buddha’s mission is to provide “simple wisdom for complex lives.” The website covers mental health topics such as love and relationships, mindfulness, and health habits.
HEALTH NEWS AND GENERAL WELLNESS
22. NPR Shots
22. NPR Shots
This is the blog for health stories produced by the NPR Science Desk. The Shots section publishes the latest news on health, research, and medical treatments, as well as articles on how policy shapes our health.
23. Well—The New York Times
23. Well—The New York Times
The Well section of The New York Times features articles in five categories: eat, move, mind, family, and live. You’ll also find Ask Well, a collection of Q&As between readers and medical experts.
24. Harvard Health Blog
24. Harvard Health Blog
Harvard Health Blog publishes medical news, viewpoints, and articles across a wide variety of topics. The blog covers such areas as exercise and fitness, pain management, healthy eating, mental health, mind-body medicine, relationships, heart health, as well as children’s, men’s, and women’s health.
25. Mayo Clinic Connect
25. Mayo Clinic Connect
Mayo Clinic Connect is an online community where you can share your experiences and find support from people experiencing the same health challenges as you. There are moderated groups in more than 50 categories. You can also read articles by Mayo Clinic health experts.
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