The ‘new year-new you’ bug is here and the 2018 health-kick is well underway. It is great that physical wellbeing is a priority for so many – as we all know from the heaving gyms throughout January – but why not take it a step further and start using helpful ‘life-hack’ apps for an entire lifestyle revamp?
From improving personal finance to managing heavy work-loads, these brilliant apps won’t just supply a quick-fix lifestyle-boost right now, but make every day easier. So sit down, clear some extra space on your smartphone, head to the app store and get downloading for a better 2018.
Personal finance
Finances can often be a cause of worry and stress. It can be a challenging to keep on top of your outgoings, particularly everyday household bills. However, all the fretting over gas and electricity bills can now be a thing of the past, thanks to new handy bill management app WonderBill, which launches this month.
WonderBill allows you to easily manage all your household bills in one app. You can see utilities, broadband, TV and mobile phone bills plus more all on one dashboard, with just one password. It can also save you money with personal switching recommendations. Welcome to stress-free bills!
Mental wellbeing
Modern life can be hectic and mental wellbeing is not always a priority. Despite all the demands on you, it is important to dedicate time to self-care and checking in on your mental wellbeing should be something that is non-negotiable. Though mindfulness can often feel like an out-of-reach practice when time is taken up by commuting, work-loads, family, chores and social activities, it can be achievable with the right tools.
Headspace offers easy to follow, anywhere-anytime meditation training, great for those who are tight on time or a little unsure about giving it a go. Just 10 mins with your headphones in while on the tube/train/bus each morning can improve your wellbeing.
Work
We all know it can be difficult to keep your work-load in check. Whether you are employed full-time, self-employed, starting a business or studying, it is all too easy for the to-do list to take over. To manage your work-load more efficiently why not try Any.do. This app keeps your tasks, lists and reminders in one place, helping you keep on top of the to-do list and bulging diary. It also syncs across all your devices – iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Web, Chrome and Mac – making sure keeping track stays as simple as possible. Any.do even has a network of assistants on hand to get some of your tasks done, should you be in need of a helping hand.
Home
Laundry is probably one of the most hated household chores out there, but sadly it’s one we cannot avoid (or we would get pretty smelly!) Whether its clothes or bedding, getting the washing done is long and dull, so… why not get someone else to sort it for you. Say hello to Laundrapp. Yes, you read that right, someone else sorts your laundry!
After requesting their service via the app, the team at Laundrapp pick up your laundry load from your home, arrange it to be cleaned at the local dry cleaners and drop it back to your door. Laundrapp is available all over the country and clean items from everyday clothing to special linens. It’s the perfect way to lighten the load at home.
Food
Over half of people in the UK are now on some kind of ‘exclusion’ diet, whether down to allergy, intolerance or a life-style choice. Whether you are vegan, paleo, FODMAP, gluten-free, celiac, low-sugar or allergic to nuts, all of these can make meal times difficult. Spoon Guru is a handy little helper when it comes to cooking and shopping with these restrictive diets. After setting your preferences, the Spoon Guru app helps you easily check what products you can eat when food shopping by scanning bar codes. It also offers tasty recipes suitable for your unique food ID. Easy-peasy eats for all!
Wardrobe
2018 is the year to be less wasteful. Every year high street charity shops raise £200m for good causes and divert 300 million kilos of textiles from landfill sites. However due to online shopping, less and less people are now shopping in, and donating to, charity shops. Cue Thrift+. This good-hearted app collects, sells and donates your best unwanted clothes, on-demand, without having to leave the comfort of your home. You also earn points with each donation to spend in the Thrift+ store on second-hand gems. So get rooting around your exploding wardrobe and get donating!
