Apps to help you be a better you in 2022

Don’t worry – we’re not suggesting you run an ultramarathon, write a best seller or travel the world (but that doesn’t mean we don’t support you in those endeavours!)

This year we’re focussing on re-establishing those small, achievable habits that’ll pay dividends on your overall health and wellbeing.

Organise everything

Is this the year you’ll stop scribbling on post it notes, calendars and bulky planners? Apps to help you declutter and digitise your diary are right there for the downloading. A good place to start is the popular Evernote. Tame your to do lists with this all-in-one note-taker that simplifies and centralises your tasks, complete with due dates, calendar view and reminders.

Make misplaced organisers a thing of the past. Back it up to the cloud to reduce the risk of data loss, while having access on any device.

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Calm your mind

When life gets stressful, no amount of task-taming apps will help. But online meditation might. Smiling Mind provides accessible, life-long tools based on mindfulness meditation. This non-profit app aims to make meditation easy and has been accessed by more than a million people worldwide. Through guided meditation, you may be able to reduce anxiety, improve concentration and enjoy better sleep. Find out about the benefits of meditation from a pro.

Move more

Need a nudge away from Netflix? An app on your smartphone can help you overcome your inertia and find time to move. Running is a no-fuss option, but what if you’re a newbie? There are lots of running apps out there to help you relearn this ancient skill to improve your health. Couch to 5K is a safe bet – it’s claimed this app can get even the most successful couch potatoes moving.

The idea is to go from zero to running 5km or 30 minutes in 9 weeks. Designed for those new to running, the 8-week programme uses interval training tips, combining walking and running, so you build up strength and endurance gradually. You do three sessions per week lasting 30-40 minutes including warm ups and cool downs.

Green your lifestyle

When it comes to living more sustainably, you’ll find apps to help you make positive changes to every aspect of your life. Whether you’re looking for guidance with recycling, food waste, energy use or ethical brands, an app with actionable tips will put you on a greener path.

One Small Step is one such app. It starts with a questionnaire to understand where you are in your sustainable living journey, then recommends actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and get you closer to net zero emissions. Each action is measured by difficulty and carbon savings, so you can pick some easy wins to begin with.

Budget better

Want to get on top of your finances? Even government agencies are getting into app development. TrackMySPEND was developed by MoneySmart and Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to help you work out where you’re spending your hard-earned dosh. It’s particularly good for plugging invisible money leaks that add up over time. Get a clear picture of your ‘needs’ and ‘wants’ by tagging your expenses and setting spending limits for each category, and use the text reminders to keep you on track.

Up your vegie intake

Diet fads and calorie counting apps aren’t for everyone, but eating more fruit and vegies? That’s a goal we can get behind. If you want to create a healthy habit that’ll put Bugs Bunny to shame, the no-nonsense 5 A Day Tracker app is for you.

Set your own fruit and vegie target, keep tabs on your daily intake and see how well you’re doing with the monthly calendar view. While we’re on the topic, you might like to check out these other helpful nutrition apps too.

Drink more (H20)

When you’re busy it’s easy to forget to hydrate. Cue the Daily Water Tracker Reminder. Like the vegie tracker mentioned above, this app does exactly what it says on the tin: reminds you to drink water to maintain good health. You can set the amount to drink each time then sip away when you’re reminded by the cute burbling water sound. The app also has the option to track your weight as you move toward a healthier more hydrated you.

Sleep well

If you’re exercising, eating and meditating well, hopefully quality shuteye will follow. But if you still feel tired during the day, consider tracking your sleep with your Apple watch, or using an app like Sleep Cycle on your smartphone. And don’t forget there’s technology built into the latest phones. Explore your settings to automate your sleep reminders and set up bedtime mode.

Pick a plan and device to suit your life and stay in control of your data and usage with My Optus app.