Have an ‘Appy New Year!

Are you one of the thousands of people to receive a new phone for Christmas? Struggling to figure out the ins and outs of the App Store and Google Play? Well whether your New Year’s resolution is losing weight, getting fit, keeping calm or simply bringing some order to your life, JENNY MCGOVERN has found an app to help you on your way.

 

GETTING IN SHAPE

7 Minute Workout (iOS and Android)
Seven minutes you say? Surely seven minutes of exercise a day is better than nothing and this app gives you a series of body weight exercises that require only a chair, a wall and yourself. Each move (squats, lunges, push-ups) is done for 30 seconds at a time with a ten second break in between. Sounds easy? Think again. This HIIT (High intensity interval training) is a killer, but good news, they’re proven to be highly effective.
Cost: Free with in-app purchases

Couch to 5k (iOS and Android)
This app promises to get first time runners up and moving. If you’re new to the running game best not go whole hog on the first outing and injure yourself. This app has an eight week training programme that requires a mix of running and walking three days per week, thirty minutes per day. An example workout is a brisk warm up walk, followed by 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking, you then alternate between running and jogging until you hit the thirty minute mark.
Cost: Free (but you can upgrade)

 

(iOS and Android)
Did you ever think to yourself - if I had someone chasing me I would be able to run so much faster? No? Just me then. If you’re a fan of running, jogging or walking then this app is for you. You are a runner on route to one of humanity’s last remaining outposts. People need YOUR help to gather supplies and rescue survivors, to do this you must walk, jog or run while listening to missions and your own music through your headphones. Here’s a fun fact: when the zombies are chasing you HAVE to speed up to escape. Go on, unleash your inner Rick Grimes.
Cost: Free

LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

Pacifica (iOS and Android)
If your aim is to manage stress and be more mindful this year then this app is for you. Designed to help those with anxiety and depression, Pacifica offers a whole host of tools for the user, including a way of tracking their mood, methods of relaxation and meditation, daily goals, a place to record your thoughts. You also have the opportunity to connect with other users who are working towards managing their anxiety.
Cost: Free

Headspace
This meditation app has received nothing but high praise since its release last year. It offers a wonderful ten session mediation program for FREE, though you can subscribe to the app for sessions which are tailored to your needs. What is so popular about Headspace is that its meditations are short but powerful, giving the user a perfect time out from the busy world. Sneak off to the break room for ten minutes with your headphones, you won’t regret it.
Cost: Free (In app purchases)

EXPAND YOUR MIND

Podcast App (iOS and Android)
Many phones will already have a default podcast app, sitting there unused and unloved. It’s time to change this. The runaway success of ‘Serial’ last year brought a lot of people onto the podcast bandwagon - and with good reason. Podcasts are a wonderful way of passing the time, whether it be driving, walking, or just relaxing at home. There are countless podcasts to subscribe to, you’ll never be bored again, and you may become a little more knowledgable. Some highly recommended ones are RadioLab, This American Life, Stuff You Should Know, Ted Talks and Serial. Go on, start exploring.
Cost: Free

Audible (iOS and Android)
I always thought: wouldn’t it be amazing if someone would read the book to me, while I lie in the dark drifting off to sleep. Never did I think it would become a reality - but it is! Audible is a app which has over 200,000 audiobooks available to buy. Ever felt like hearing Stephen Fry reading the entire Harry Potter collection? Well now you can, they’re all there. Audible offers listeners a month long free trial with a free audiobook of their choice, after that it costs £7.99 per month.
Cost: Free (then subscription service)

Duolingo (iOS and Android)
Duolingo is an adorable yet fairly comprehensive language learning app for those who want to pick up beginner-level Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Danish, Swedish or English.
With its mix of quizzes, reading and audio options, it’s a fun and engaging way to learn a new language… Or finally learn some Irish.
Cost: Free

EXPLORE

Hopper (iOS and Android)
If the stress of calculating air fares is preventing you from travelling this year, then stress no more.
Hopper is an app which will help you find the best prices for your flights.
It analyses prices to predict when you should travel and when you should book so that you get the best deal.
It can also watch a specific trip for you and send you notifications at the best buying time.
Cost: Free

AirBnB (iOS and Android)
After you’ve found the best possible deals with hopper why not find the best possible accommodation with AirBnB. AirBnB allows you to browse and rent unique, often breathtakingly beautiful places to stay with local hosts in 190 countries. Forget hotels, forget hostels, go stay with a local, do as locals do and have the best trip of your life. P.S, even if you’re not planning on travelling anywhere this app is great for having a gawk at how other people live, I advise you to check out places to rent in Iceland… jaw dropping.
Cost: Free

REWARDS

Your network provider’s own app (iOS and Android)
Every mobile provider offers rewards to their customers. For example Three and their app 3+ is brilliant for saving money on various things (30% off at Milanos - heck yes!) They also offer two cinema tickets for a tenner in the Odeon Cavan (Sunday-Thursday) saving you oodles of money at the box office… More money equals more popcorn, win-win!=
Cost: Free