There are so many iPhone apps out there that a couple years ago I found myself with like 86 downloaded apps on my phone….but I used less than 10 of them. There really is an app for everything. But what I’ve learned is that too many apps end up paralyzing me. So here are a handful of apps I use everyday that have made my life a little simpler and a lot less stressful.
If you’re a woman, no matter what your health situation or life season, I high recommend tracking your period. Even if all you do is input when you started your period and when you ended your period. Not only is it really helpful for your health care provider, but you can see if there is a pattern to your cycles. There are a jillion apps out there, I just happen to use iPeriod which I find very user friendly and simple.
I started using Evernote a few months ago and it has helped me stay semi-organized. I’m not a super organized person to begin with but this helps – although I’m still learning how to use this app well. I hate cluttering my computer with folders and documents so instead I keep lots of those things in Evernote. It’s also great when you come across a quote in an article or random information/recipes on the internet and want to save them. I copy and past intuitive eating information and quotes all the time. And it’s a great way for me to save journal articles that I read so I have them on hand for later. I try to clean out the folders often so it doesn’t get too cluttered. And I like how I can access the app from my desktop or phone.
I just discovered the Yoga Wake Up app a few weeks ago and have started to slowly implement it into my life. I want to get better at not rushing through life so I’m hoping this helps. You can set the app so instead of an alarm, you get woken up with a gentle yoga flow that you can do while still under your covers. How awesome does that sound?
I get a lot of questions on where we get our groceries delivered from and the answer is Instacart! I’m not sure if Instacart is in every city, but I’m sure there’s some sort of equivalent like Fresh Direct, Amazon Fresh or something like that. The difference with Instacart is that they use personal shoppers that go into the store near you and pick out your groceries. If I had a car and grocery shopping wasn’t a nightmare, I probably wouldn’t use this app. But in Manhattan where I have to carry our groceries home and fight crowds on the weekends, ordering groceries through this app for $15/month (the delivery fee) is totally worth the stress relief!
Audible is one of my favorite apps! I always want to be the person who likes to read a real book, but I always find it difficult to sit down and read (stillness, also something I need to work on..) so audiobooks work great for me. I listen to them while I bike to work, clean and while I’m walking or running and I find that I can “read” so much more this way. I know there are cheaper options out there (one reader suggested audio books from the local library so that’s an option too!) but the convenience of this app is worth the $14.99 a month for me. Plus I somehow always have credits in my account – I think they refill them monthly – so I’ve never actually purchased a book. I’m currently working my way through Deep Work and the Gifts of Imperfection.
Headspace is an app I discovered last year when I was really struggling with sleep anxiety and insomnia. I lived in a really small apartment with a shoe box of a bedroom (it literally fit my full size bed and a tiny dresser) so I ended up doing a lot more than just sleep in my bedroom. I talked on the phone in my bed, did school work in my bed, browsed the internet, blogged etc etc and so my room became an everything space instead of a sleep space. I started doing the insomnia meditations to help me sleep and calm my mind. Since then, I’ve developed some better sleep habits that have completely transformed my sleep (moving out of that closet of a bedroom helped…) but I still use the meditations especially for anxiety, change, and stress. And I love how now they have these mini meditations you can use any time of day. Cheers for self care!
What apps do you love or have found most helpful? Share in the comments!
Sarah says
My top five apps are: YNAB (budgeting–amazing!); Kindara (FAM–and I have the BBT thermometer that automatically syncs with the app over Bluetooth, which is fab); Shipt (similar to Instacart); Overcast (the best podcast player); and Scripture Typer (for scripture memory).
Laura B Carr says
I just downloaded a period tracker and I’m excited about it! One app I couldn’t live without is Google keep. I use it for grocery lists and just random to dos. I recommend it for everyone!
Carrie this fit chick says
I used to use instacart in college! It was super handy for sure. I also love Evernote. My boyfriend just started using Trello and highly recommends that one too!
Katie says
Great round up! I also track my cycle because it’s so helpful to have an idea where I’m at in my cycle and if anything becomes irregular!
Amber @ Bloom Nutrition Therapy says
I am SO JEALOUS of doorstep grocery delivery!!! I live in rural Kentucky and we still don’t have it yet, although I don’t get it because it would be super helpful for so many people around here! I have been taking advantage of Kroger’s Clicklist. It is in the next town over (about 45 min.), but it’s totally worth it to me to order my groceries online, drive the 45 min. to and from to pick up groceries. It would take me just as long in the store, and like this I get to spend that time listening to a podcast and enjoying an iced coffee drink or something instead of roaming around the aisles at the store and having to make 158 decisions about which yogurt to buy because there’s suddenly so many options!
Bethany @LuluRuns says
I have been looking for a good period tracker! Thank you for the suggestion! I love my Spotify app, constant worship music without too many ads is my jam.
Megan @ A Continual Feast says
I think my most used app is Every Dollar- is that sad? I don’t have any health related ones other than Headspace which I loooove! Also like the She Reads Truth app!
Mary says
I just started using Flo to track basically every detail of what’s happening with my reproductive system, and I love it! I used the Clue app for years, but I liked the Flo interface so much better that I switched. Other than that I don’t use many apps…the ClassPass app and my gym’s app to book workout classes, and that’s pretty much it.
Emily Vardy says
I used Headspace for a while, and I really like it! On my own I don’t think I’d be able to “meditate” but just forcing myself to sit and listen to the app for ten minutes in the morning makes me SO MUCH CALMER. I’ve got the app left on my phone for those anxiety-filled days where I need something(/anything) to try and relax a little
Liliana Salinas says
A few weeks ago I started having trouble with anxiety and insomia my self. One of my co-workers told me about Insight Timer meditation app. Highly recommended! I’ve been using it every single morning and it has helped ease my anxiety. For my running I use MapMyRun app, great app to track and organize my running.
I moved to Houston TX about 6 months ago right in the center of the city, where many call it “The Galleria” . I moved from a small town to one of busiest cities out there. Food here is amazing except for the Mexican food, its not as great as my mommas food back home, lol. I had been craving pizza for quite a while, so Alex (fiancé ) and I drove to downtown to Frank’s Pizza. Frank;s Pizza is a small whole in the wall with the best pizza I’ve ever tried. If you’re ever in the Houston area Frank Pizzas is a MUST!!!