Guides 7 years ago

Apps that will make 2017 your best year yet

Even if you’ve already forgotten your New Year’s resolutions, maybe you can start again and try accomplishing one

With a new year comes new resolutions- at least for the first few weeks. Committing to a serious resolution is difficult for a number of reasons: motivation, time, money, honesty and organization. But fear not, modern technology provides some major resources to take on your goals.

Check out the apps that will actually help you accomplish your New Year’s resolutions in 2017.

To exercise more

With a following of more than 20 million, Sworkit creates randomized playlists from a variety of exercises in a Spotify-type fashion. Users can select their playlist time and focus (strength, yoga, pilates, stretching), as well as set daily and weekly goal reminders. The app offers more specified playlist options, including subsets for beginners, so you have no excuse.

Aaptiv is another fitness app gaining hype by offering virtual training and classes. A free user can choose from hundreds of class options including yoga, cycling and running. Members pay $9.99/month or $49.99/year for unlimited access to classes, making this digital gym membership cheaper and more flexible than alternatives.

To manage stress

With over 11 million downloads, Headspace describes itself as a “gym membership for the mind,” promoting meditation to reduce anxiety and stress. The free Take 10 program teaches you the basics of meditation in 10 minutes a day for 10 days.

Another app to help you with this New Year’s resolution is Happify, which has frequently been featured in the news. The app utilizes scientific techniques that result in 86 percent of users feeling happier about their lives within two months.

Headspace’s Take 10.

To finally get organized

Fantastical 2 is the iPhone calendar without annoying limitations. You can customize its look, specify reminders and snoozing, and contact invitees directly from the app.

Secrets Touch is a secure system to store passwords, credit cards, bank information and anything else worthy of encryption. This app is perfect for those who tend to leave things behind and are constantly on the go.

To save money

MoneyCoach allows you to simply manage your income and expenses by category. The app provides specific spending statistics and corresponding tips.

Mint provides similar features along with bill tracking and payment, credit scores and investment tracking. Both apps present sleek visuals that make budgeting easy.

To eat healthier

Calorie Counter & Diet Tracker by MyFitnessPal is a top fitness app with a simple calorie counter recognizing over 5 million foods (including restaurant dishes). The free app can sync with iPhone Health to provide a diet plan based on your caloric intake and expenditure and weight goals.

MakeMyPlate offers “visual eating plans” that encourage portion control and optimal nutrition. The diet app offers recipes, grocery lists, and dining out options.

To quit a bad habit

HabitBull‘s inspirational interface allows users to set goals like breaking habits. The app tracks your progress with helpful graphics and sends reminders, too. While HabitBull can be used for general productivity, Quit That! offers simple yet powerful counts of how long it has been since you quit your bad habits.

To find a job

The first step to landing a job is to properly market yourself with a good resume and strong network. LinkedIn is the perfect place to start, and their mobile app makes staying connected easy.

Jobr is the highest rated job app, allowing you to create a profile, upload a resume, and find and apply for jobs all from your phone.

Looking for an internship or more student-friendly job? WayUp allows college students to match with companies like Microsoft, The New York Times, and Google. This is the perfect place to find brand ambassador positions.

To stay motivated

Forest has users “plant a tree” for a set time that they want to stay focused, whether that be in the library or spending time with family. The longer you stay on the screen, undistracted by your phone, the larger your tree grows. If you leave the screen before the chosen time has passed, the tree dies. Each time you fulfill your goal, you add a tree to your forest.

Streaks displays up to six goals that the user wants to make daily habits. Each day you complete your goal, its streak is prolonged as it becomes a habit, which takes roughly 66 consecutive days. If you break the streak, the habit resets. Think of it as Snapchat streaks for your best self!

These apps offer effective, fun and low cost solutions to fulfilling goals. Even if you don’t set New Year’s resolutions (or have broken yours already), there is never a bad time for self-love and betterment. Make sure to check out the apps above to kick off 2017 with a better you.

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