Healthy living

The COVID-19 pandemic has created several challenges for healthy living, from gym closures to the impact of lockdowns on mental health. It has also created opportunities, though, in the form of online or digital services.

How can health and wellbeing apps help you and your loved ones live more healthily?

Health apps offer easy, engaging, and accessible ways to help you better manage your goals. For instance, apps have the power to support fitness plans, provide advice about diet, connect you with health and care professionals to discuss and manage your health and wellbeing, and help you to better stick to personalised plans. Studies also suggest that evidence-based digital health tools can complement existing treatment plans you may have been given by your health or care professional. With the recent impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of face-to-face care, apps may be able to offer additional support in light of reduced accessibility to in-person healthy living services.

But apps don’t just provide opportunities to support your physical wellbeing. A big part of keeping your body healthy is also looking after your mental wellbeing. Just as physical health conditions can have an impact on your mental health, so too can mental health conditions or poor mental wellbeing affect being able to take care of your physical health. Apps can provide support with improving mental wellbeing and managing mental health conditions which, in turn, can improve your physical wellbeing and ability to live a healthy life. To find tested, safe apps to help with healthy living – such as apps for fitness, healthy eating, weight management, or mental wellbeing – visit your local Digital Health Library and start searching for apps today at https://liverpool.orcha.co.uk, or click on any of the example apps below:

• Running: Couch 2 5k
• Walking: Active 10 Walking Tracker
• Smoking Cessation: Smoke Free
• Calorie Counting: MyFitnessPal
• Relaxation/Sleep: Simple Habit

Content provided by ORCHA

We’ve reviewed thousands of apps, so you can find the best.

Published on Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:12:18 GMT
Modified on Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:07:50 GMT

Smoking

According to the NHS, smoking is not only one of the biggest causes of death and illness in the UK, but it also increases your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions.

Can apps help you stop smoking?

So, unsurprisingly, quitting smoking not only adds years to your life, but also greatly reduces your chances of developing smoking-related diseases.

If you are trying to stop smoking, there are small lifestyle changes you can make to help you quit, such as changing daily habits, identifying when you crave cigarettes, and seeking out advice and support. Digital technologies, such as apps, can help with changing behaviour in order to quit smoking.

Apps to help you stop smoking include features such as being able to log your cravings and get tips for managing them, motivational tips and advice, setting your own goals for quitting, monitoring the differences that quitting is having on your health and lifestyle, and much more.

To start searching for safe, tested apps to help with stopping smoking, visit our local Digital Health Library at liverpool.orcha.co.uk.

Content provided by ORCHA

We’ve reviewed thousands of apps, so you can find the best.

Published on Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:17:18 GMT
Modified on Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:10:07 GMT

Finding safe apps to support your mental health

Taking care of your mental health and wellbeing is really important, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has created worry and fear for many people. Digital technologies have provided a way for us to stay in touch with our friends and families, but did you know that they can also help with your mental health?

With mounting evidence that mental health problems have become even more common since the pandemic, the UK government has developed a Mental Health and Wellbeing Recovery Action plan to help people with their mental health.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Recovery Action Plan explains that digital mental health support can provide greater control and options for round the clock advice or tools. Initially, an app can help you access advice when you need it, and as time goes by can support you whilst you’re on a waiting list, becoming an early support system or safety net. Later, after a therapist has been seen, apps can reinforce strategies and track information. Apps can also help you to self-manage your mental health in your home environment.

As there are so many mental health apps available, it can be difficult to know which are safe to use. ORCHA, a leading digital health assessment organisation, has tested hundreds of mental health apps so that it’s easy for you to find safe apps.

To find safe apps for mental health, visit our local Digital Health Library at liverpool.orcha.co.uk

Content provided by ORCHA

We’ve reviewed thousands of apps, so you can find the best.

Published on Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:20:04 GMT
Modified on Tue, 29 Mar 2022 14:52:38 GMT