Reaching the middle of Spring semester to find yourself stressed out with school, while still trying to get ready for summer and keep on track with your 2018 goals can be stressful. Luckily, with all the resources out there, changing your routine to a more organized and healthier lifestyle is not as hard when you set your mind to it!
Here are my top 7 best apps to help you through your journey:
1. Google Calendar
Ups: This app keeps saving my life when I'm on the run between classes and meetings. Not only it is free and accessible through a browser, it also allows you to schedule events with friends and such. There's also no better way to begin a healthier routine then to set up your goals on your calendar and make it real.
Downs: Get used to it. Online calendars and scheduling your day beforehand are not for everyone, but once you become familiar it will be much easier.
2. Lifesum
Ups: One of my favorite meal tracking apps lately, it lets me set goals for my alimentation and have total control over portion sizes. It’s super easy to search the food you’ve had and learn about its nutritional information. It also gives me an overview of my progress and sends me reminders to drink water and keep it healthy.
Downs: Although the app is free, there is a monthly premium payment option for about $5 a month. The main meal plan that I use is totally out of charge, and suitable for most people, but to get access to more resources, such as personalized meal plans and recipes, you must have the premium account.
3. Nike Training Club
Ups: My favorite workout app. Sometimes is hard to manage time to go to the gym, but with this app, you can workout from anywhere with no need for extra equipment. Just that easy! They create your own personalized workout plan, and being free is always a big plus.
Downs: The hardest deal with this app is getting yourself to do it, so as annoying as it might get, allow the notifications to get in and don’t forget to work on your goals!
4. Yummly
Ups: So many recipes. It lets you choose your level of cooking skills (mine is very basic) and set your allergies and food preferences. It gives you a step to step direction on how to make the recipe and lets you schedule the time you’d wish to make it! Another big plus is that they have an option for you to put the ingredients you already have and they will search for recipes without the need for extra grocery shopping. But when you do need those extra ingredients, there is also a grocery shopping list that you can add them to it for the next time you hit the stores.
Downs: It is not a “healthy only” recipes app and sometimes it can be overwhelming looking at other delicious foods all the time. But hey, balance is always good.
5. Apple News
Ups: I always try to keep myself updated on what’s happening in the world, and Apple News lets me choose my favorite news channels and sort of news that I want to get notified on. No problems if you’re not an Apple user, download your favorite online newspaper! PS: The New York Times always does a daily briefing with a short summary of what’s happening on that day.
Downs: Get notifications for articles out of your interest zone, but it never hurts to branch out your interests!
6. Breathe
Ups: Great app for meditation. I first started using it to help me fall asleep, and listening to their 2+ minute meditation helped. It also allows you to describe how you're feeling each day to then recommend you four different short meditations to do.
Downs: The app is free and so as most of the content, but for longer meditations, there is a premium account requirement.
7. Sleep Cycle
Ups: For those struggling with sleep and such, I found this to be great for tracking sleep. The alarm will go off during your "wake up phase" within a period from 10 to 90 minutes that you can previously set up, making mornings way smoother. Another big plus is that the app also captures the sounds you make during your sleep, such as snoring and sleep talking and can help you improve it.
Downs: The app is free during its first-month trial, but afterward there is a $20 yearly fee.
Head over to the app store and start changing your life for the better!
