Lose the blues
Feeling fat? There’s an app for that
There’s still turkey in the fridge, a few chocolates in the tin, the fire is still roaring, and the only reason to leave the house is for the sales. On Boxing Day, the temptation is to sink further into the sofa and forget how Christmas television used to entertain rather than just fill the yawning hours between meals.
But there’s no need to slip into a Twixmas funk. Simply take your new smartphone off the charger and download some of these apps that will help you make the most of that wonderfully odd “shutdown” before the new year.
Best for: some proper exercise
FIZZUP Do you remember six weeks ago? Your waistline was an inch or so thinner, your bank balance was healthier and you were still friends with your liver. A lot can change in six weeks, including for the better. Fizzup is a digital personal trainer that promises to get users back in shape in a month and a half. The personal trainer guides users through workouts and nutrition plans that adapt to their level. It includes simple exercises, daily fitness tips and occasional challenges.
Free, fizzup.com
Best for: easing your way into running
ZOMBIES, RUN! Just getting moving after days of being sedentary can be difficult. A brisk walk, let alone run, might sound awful, with all that port and pudding sloshing around inside you. But what if you had a zombie chasing you? A twist on the “couchto-5k” running plan, Zombies, Run! forces users to improve their fitness by making them “run for their lives”. The first missions involve more walking, the last have you running 5k without stopping. Free, zombiesrungame.com
Best for: leisurely afternoons
GO JAUNTLY If you’re still not ready for exercise, why not try going for a walk somewhere new? Go Jauntly recommends places nearby that are good for a constitutional. The app, which was created by city dwellers wanting to get outside, lets users choose countryside and inner-city walks based on location and strenuousness. Free, gojauntly.com
Best for: escaping the in-laws
Even when you’re stuck in the box room at a distant relative’s home on the other side of the country, you can still find a yoga class. Nearyou lets users find health and fitness sessions at nearby independent studios. You can book one-off sessions through the app without paying a sign-up fee. Not only will a class get you out of the house, it will also provide some well-deserved alone time. Free, yogaclassnearyou.co.uk
Best for: getting creative in the kitchen
RUNTASTY Runtasty is a new health app from the makers of Runtastic, the popular tracking tool that lets people monitor their speed, calories burned, distance travelled and duration when jogging. Runtasty features healthy recipes and diet plans. The meals, which tend to use accessible ingredients, include mixed salad with steak and avocado, and fluffy protein pancakes and pesto salmon with veg. Free, runtastic.com
Best for: clearing out the leftovers
OLIO There’s another Christmas pudding in Aunt Joy’s hamper waiting to be eaten and a joint of gammon. But it’s becoming hard to get excited about eating anything. Olio could help. This app connects individuals and businesses so they can share food with one another. Your unwanted figgy pudding could well be just what your neighbour fancies. Free, olioex.com
Best for: meeting new people
NEXTDOOR As well as being tired of your fridge contents, you may soon be tired of your family. Turn to your neighbours instead: Nextdoor is a social network that connects people within small communities so they can get to know one another, set up events and share items. If your neighbourhood is yet to join, it’s the perfect time to be pro-active and create a new group. Free, nextdoor.co.uk
Best for: getting ahead in 2018
STREAKS Twixmas is often a contemplative time, and it can be all too easy for the January dread to creep in as soon as Christmas Day has passed. For once, why not get ahead of the rush and plan for 2018 now? Streaks asks users to pick 12 resolutions that they want to turn into daily habits. Every time they tick off a task, they go one step towards completing a “streak”. Just think what you can achieve in 2018. £4.99, streaksapp.com
Best for: learning something new
SKILLSHARE From photography to emotional intelligence, this app contains more than 18,000 online classes to expand horizons. The courses are designed by specialists and cover work and lifestyle skills, from sketching to getting out of bed with energy. Other educational apps include Duolingo (duolingo. com) for language learning, and Khan Academy (khanacademy.org) for everything from history to coding.
30 days free, skillshare. com
Best for: finding your cool
CALM See off those impending January blues by carving out some relaxation time for yourself. Mindfulness app Calm offers sevento 21-day courses in meditation that help soothe anxiety and improve your sleep and focus.
£7.99 per month, calm.com
Best for: digital detoxing
FOREST Have you long resolved to switch off from social media and technology but never got around to it? Forest is a phone-blocking app with a twist. It encourages users to “plant” a tree on their smartphone when they need to focus. The longer they leave their phone alone, the taller the tree grows; over time, they create a forest. When users spend virtual coins, Forest instructs a partner organisation to plants trees IRL (or “in real life”, for those who don’t spend their lives on internet chat rooms). £1.99, forestapp.cc