5 best health and wellness apps of the year

IN TODAY'S fast-paced world, taking care of our health and wellness has never been more important. With the rise of digital resources, we have access to a plethora of wellness apps that can help us track and monitor our health, provide personalised insights, and even connect us with health-care professionals. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast, a wellness guru, or simply looking to improve your overall well-being, these apps are here to revolutionise your approach to health.

Panda: Empowering mental health battles

Fee: Free for individuals

Available: Android and iOS users Panda is on a mission to empower individuals to take control of their mental health. This user-friendly app provides tailored content, assessments, and one-on-one therapy sessions.

You can also join anonymous group sessions where you can learn and discuss topics ranging from anxiety to depression. With three packages available for individuals, employees, and insurers, Panda is committed to making mental health support accessible to all.

Kena Health: Online doctor

Fee: R185 per consultation or R120 for an express consultation

Available: Android and iOS users In a prestigious ceremony held on November 9, Kena Health won the coveted MTN App of the Year and Best Health App 2023 awards, underscoring its contribution to addressing primary and mental health-care challenges.

Since it launched in 2022, the app has earned acclaim with over 300 000 downloads, brings quality health care to your fingertips. With this app, you can easily consult doctors and mental health professionals directly.

Oak meditation & breathing

Oak is the perfect app to kickstart your meditation journey. You can earn badges by completing meditations and receiving daily inspirational quotes.

The free version includes breathing exercises, sleep sounds, and sleep breathing meditations. If you're looking for a more immersive experience, Oak also offers in-app courses for a small fee.

The Calm App: Relax and unwind

This is a must-have for anyone looking to find calm and relaxation in their daily lives. With guided meditations, sleep stories, and soothing music, it provides a sanctuary for your mind. You can explore masterclasses on mindfulness and stress reduction. The app is your go-to companion for a peaceful and balanced lifestyle.

Feel better

A recipe book in your pocket, cult lifestyle blogger Deliciously Ella's popular app brings her delicious plantbased recipes straight to your phone, with nearly 300 nutritious dishes to choose from, and with 2021's update, there's plenty more to enjoy, too. It now includes a personalised wellness plan and an intuitive daily tracking tool to monitor your plant-based diet, exercise, sleep, mindfulness and water consumption.

Happify app

According to a recent report by Space Technologies, Happify is one of the top health apps to do meditation, science-based activities and games for the prevention of stress, and heart diseases, diabetes, skin illness, lung ailments, or even accidents, or suicide.

It is the top website hub for all mental health issues to help users overcome the experience level of negative thoughts and gain more resilience in their day-to-day life routines, especially using yoga and step-by-step weight training.

Leading experts developed the app in the fields of positive psychology, diabetics, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioural therapy to reduce the risk to their lives.

Thus, it is known as the best health tracker app and allows people to take control of their health.

It's clear that wellness apps are here to stay. From mental health support to personalised wellness insights, these apps have the power to transform your lifestyle.

HAPPIFY experts developed the app in the fields of positive psychology, diabetics, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioural therapy to reduce the risk to their lives. | Screenshot