There just simply aren't enough hours in the day anymore. Between classes, and work, and homework, and studying, and trying to maintain some semblance of a social life, and the obligatory sleep that the human body requires to perform its most basic functions, I can't afford pointless hiccups in my day that could have been avoided. From a nightly sound-based analysis that helps me sleep better at night to a cute, little garden of flowers reminding me to stay hydrated, here are the apps I've found make my busy days a little easier and more bearable.
1. Nike Training Club
This app, run and created by Nike, offers a variety of workouts at all levels of difficulty. Plus, you can adjust your workouts to your schedule--some are only 5 minutes long! My personal favorite feature of the app? You can personalize and create your own workout plan where you pick how often you work out and for how long, as well as the difficulty you're comfortable with.
2. Headspace: Meditation
This guided meditation app takes you step by step through the whole process of learning to meditate and practice mindfulness in your daily life. Favorite feature: the "leader" who guides you through meditation has a really soothing voice that makes the sometimes daunting task seem approachable.
3. MyFitnessPal
This is a popular app due to its precise tracking abilities. You can log the food you eat, your step count, and any other exercise you take part in, and the app tracks it to help you find your ideal state of fitness and nutritional well-being. While many people use the app for weight loss, in my personal experience I found that it was really helpful in helping me gain and maintain weight after a surgery. Plus it can be linked with your apple health data!
4. Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock
This app lets you plug in the exact time you have to wake up so that you can plan accordingly to wake up at the right point in your sleep cycle. One of the things this app taught me is that certain stages of the sleep cycle are more difficult to come out of, and if you wake yourself up in one such time, you can end up feeling groggy and off-kilter all day.
5. Sleep Better: Sleep Cycle App
To go with your sleep cycle alarm app, download this tracker too! You just place your phone next to your bed at night, and the microphone tracks your movements to evaluate when you're in REM sleep. The app does work while your phone is charging, but you do have to allow microphone access.
6. Plant Nanny
This app is your daily friendly reminder to stay hydrated! Every time you drink a cup of water, you water your plant in the app and make your garden grow!
