5 Health Apps You Need on Your SmartPhone

It probably goes without saying that in the modern age, smart devices like iPhones, Androids, and even Apple Watches and other wearable tech are ubiquitous, to the point where the potential health effects are being studied and debated by experts in numerous fields. However, while the true health effects of these technologies is debated, there’s no argument they can be used as positive tools for monitoring one’s health. In fact, smartphone health apps are some of the best health tools you can have at your fingertips. These are five of the best:

HealthTap:

For those of you who often find yourself looking up symptoms on WebMD, HealthTap will likely be a godsend, The app allows you to look up answers to “millions of questions from real doctors spanning hundreds of thousands of topics.” On top of that, the app even offers the option to speak live to a doctor or medical consultant for a fee of $39, that way you don’t convince yourself that every headache is a sign of something serious.

TalkSpace:

TalkSpace is the premiere app for those looking for mental health help. With plans starting at $65 a week, the app will connect users to a licensed therapist. The process begins with a “questionnaire that covers your needs, preferences, goals, etc. From there, the app matches you with several therapists and allows you to choose the best fit (or request more options be sent your way).” Once a professional is found, the user can meet with their therapist in a private virtual room as well as five outside messages a week.

Noom:

While Noom is another app on the slightly expensive side – with plans starting at $60 a month – it’s definitely the go-to for those looking to shed some weight. After filling out a questionnaire that will allow a user to document their current weight, health goals, lifestyle habits and even coaching preferences, Noom will pair them with a coach who will guide them through daily fitness tasks.

Hello Heart:

If you have an Apple Watch, you can use the free Hello Heart app to casually measure your cardiological vital signs including blood pressure, blood sugar, and even exercise and activity levels. Furthermore, the app provides context to these numbers, which in-turn should give a good idea as to whether it’s time to contact one’s doctor or physician.

Sleep Cycle:

As we’ve hit on exercise, cardio, mental and physical health, the final app we’ll touch on should help any user’s sleep. The app uses its “user-friendly interface and advanced insight into sleep trends both in the short and long term. In addition to measuring your quality of sleep, sleep patterns and any disruptions that may have occurred throughout the night, the app also measures your heart rate, which helps clue you into what might be holding you back from optimal daytime energy. ”

While these are five of the best health apps available, they’re far from the only ones available from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and other online marketplaces. You should definitely find ones that match up with your health needs.