Written By Katie Lowe (BA, GradDipPosPsych)
For many of us, the ways that we would normally take care of our physical and mental health went out the window in 2020! From gyms and group fitness sessions, wellness retreats and massages – to Friday afternoon drinks – it was all put on hold. For many, this was a difficult transition filled with stress, anxiety and the threat of isolation creeping in.
However, taking care of our body and mind is now more important than ever. 2020 gave us more time (in some cases, forced us) to focus on numero uno.
Luckily for us, the good people across the wellness industry have quickly and cleverly adapted to provide us with new ways to stay healthy, happy and connected during these tricky times.
From home workouts, healthy meal plans, meditation and mindfulness and inspiring podcasts; there are so many options out there to help you take care of your mind, body and soul from your own living room.
Digital doesn’t have to mean disconnected!
Here are 3 digital wellness trends that you should check out in 2021.
(Disclaimer: None of these suggestions are paid or sponsored in any way).
HEALTH & FITNESS APPS
One of the biggest new trends in health has got to be health and fitness apps, particularly apps that provide video workouts. These apps allow you to exercise at your own pace from the comfort of your own home. You can track your activity and even join in with other users online to help you stay motivated.
And if you own a smartwatch, you can also record everything from your meals and water intake – to your sleep, steps and workouts to help you stay on track with your goals. Some of these apps even provide meal plans and healthy eating ideas for inspiration.
There is a mixture of free and paid subscription apps in this field, and you do tend to get more benefits with the subscription options through features like customised programs and interactive community groups. However there are plenty of options out there to choose from.
Here are 5 popular health and fitness apps to keep you healthy in 2021:
- My Fitness Pal
- Yoga with Adriene
- Body By Finch – Rachel Finch
- Fitbit
- Nike Training Club
MENTAL HEALTH APPS
It’s no surprise that recent studies have found that the rates of anxiety, depressive symptoms and psychological distress increased during the peak of Covid-19. The negative impacts were felt in many different ways by people across Australia; from financial and emotional stress, job loss, isolation from loved ones and loneliness –not to mention anxiety around the threat of Covid itself.
The good news is that there are some fantastic digital resources available, with some companies even offering free features during Covid-19 to allow more people to gain access to easy, effective, and immediate support from home.
In particular, establishing a mindfulness or meditation practice has been scientifically proven to decrease levels of stress and anxiety. With so much collective overwhelm, fear and isolation, there has never been a more important time to look after our mental health.
Here are just some of the great apps available to help support your mind in 2021:
- Headspace
- Calm
- Smiling Mind
- Moodfit
- Gratitude: Journal, Affirmations & Vision Board
PODCASTS
Over the past couple of years, the podcast industry has really taken off!
The latest stats show that there are approximately 1,750,000 podcasts available, with over 43 million episodes as of Jan 2021…
Whatever topic you are interested in – guaranteed there is a podcast on it.
Listening to podcasts is a convenient and easy way to stay up to date and entertained. You can listen at home whilst getting ready for work or relaxing on the couch, on your daily commute to work, whilst grocery shopping or on a walk or run – literally anywhere!
In the world of mental health there is now a plethora of inspiring and educational podcasts available to help you maintain a healthy mind. I have listed 5 great podcasts to get you started below.
- (Side note: If none of these podcasts appeal to you - just remember that there are many different genres available such as comedy and entertainment that can be just as effective in helping you to de-stress, unwind and chill.)
- Crappy to Happy – Cass Dunn
- Seize the Yay – Sarah Davidson
- Beyond Blue – Not Alone
- The Art of Decluttering – Amy & Kirsty
- Better Than Yesterday – Osher Gunsberg
So there you have it – turns out we can use our phones and devices for more than just mindlessly scrolling through social media during times of uncertainty and change.
The world of digital wellness is here to stay, and can be used as a fantastic tool to help you achieve a healthier happier you in 2021!
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