Apps to stay well this winter
Cold weather and winter bugs can affect our health, but there are things we can all do to keep well. Apps can be a good source of information, advice and motivation.
Here is a selection of apps to help you manage your health concerns common for this time for year.
Download one today.
Keep your lungs healthy
If you have a lung condition, you may find the cold weather leaves you short of breath or coughing more than usual. Keep your lungs as healthy as possible throughout the winter months by trying an app.
Manage Asthma
If cold air affects your asthma, there are apps that can help you look after your asthma in winter and all year round. Used within the NHS, Digital Health Passport is a free app that helps you understand and manage your asthma. It lets you:
- Keep a diary of your asthma to help recognise patterns or spot triggers you didn’t know you had.
- View local air quality, pollution and weather alerts to help you prepare for your day.
- Watch videos to learn how to care for your lung health.
Age: 12+ years old.
Allergy
Neurological
Respiratory
+1
Entirely Free
87%
Level 2
87%
Level 2
Stop Smoking
If you smoke, consider giving-up as its one of the best changes you can make to improve your lung health. Made by the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS Quit Smoking is a free app that is a 28-day guide to help you stop smoking. It lets you:
- Complete tasks that can help you beat your cravings and focus on your goals.
- Get daily messages of support and advice.
- Track how many days you have had without a cigarette and how much money you have saved.
Age: 17+ years old.
Healthy Living
Entirely Free
72%
Level 2
72%
Level 2
Preventing falls and keeping active
The weather can make it feel harder to motivate yourself to get up and move. But activity, at a level that feels right for you, is important to help maintain your strength and mobility. An app can help get you moving and feeling your best through the winter months ahead.
Prevent falls
The cold and reduced activity in the winter can reduce muscle strength and put you at greater risk of falling. But you can reduce your risk of falling if you look after your body's strength, balance, and flexibility as you age. KOKU (Keep On Keep Up) is a free app that that lets you:
- Specify what your mobility concerns, usual abilities and goals are.
- Be guided through three exercises that have been selected for you.
- Track your progress and be notified when you need to exercise again.
This app only works on an iPad or tablet, not a phone.
Age: Developed with older adults for older adults.
Healthy Living
Musculoskeletal
+1
Entirely Free
78%
Level 2
Exercise
Just ten minutes of brisk walking every day can get your heart pumping and can make you feel more energetic, as well as lowering your risk of serious illnesses.
Developed by the NHS, Active 10 Walking Tracker is a free app that helps you to include brisk walking into your daily routine. It lets you:
- Track all your walking and how many minutes were brisk.
- Use a Pace Checker, to see what brisk walking feels like.
- Set goals to keep motivated and help you progress.
Age: 4+ years old.
Healthy Living
Respiratory
Entirely Free
77%
Level 2
76%
Level 2
Beat the winter blues
Some of us can struggle with our mental health during the colder months and in the run up to Christmas and New Year. Why not try a safe and confidential app that can help.
Emotional well-being
Being mindful and practicing meditations can give you a sense of calm, peace and balance that can benefit your emotional fitness and resilience.
Developed by mental health experts, Smiling Mind is a free app that introduces you to mindfulness and meditation, to achieve your goals, including reducing stress, improving relationships, support good sleep, or concentration. It lets you:
- Understand what mindfulness is and how to practice it.
- Be guided through meditations to help achieve your goals.
- Track your progress.
Age: 4+
Healthy Living
Mental Health
Entirely Free
76%
Level 2
76%
Level 2
Your child’s health
Colds and winter bugs are inevitable amongst children as they build their immune system. You know your child better than anyone and so you’ll probably be first to notice if they are coming down with something. There are apps to help you understand the signs and symptoms of illness, and when to seek medical attention.
NHS advice
To help you feel more confident in giving the right care for your child, Catch is a free app for parents and carers of children aged 0 to 5 years old. It lets you find:
- NHS clinically approved information, so you can be sure you’re getting the right advice.
- Guidance on what to do in an emergency, such as burns, scalds or helping a choking child.
- A map to help you find your nearest pharmacy or NHS service.
First Aid
Paediatric
Pregnancy
+1
Entirely Free
81%
Level 2
80%
Level 2
6 most common illnesses
Developed by NHS Musgrove Park Hospital, HANDi Paediatric is a free app that provides information and advice to parents, carers and medical professionals on the six most common childhood illnesses:
- Diarrhoea (gastroenteritis)
- Chesty child (wheeze and asthma)
- Chesty baby (bronchiolitis)
- High temperature
- Abdominal pain
- Common newborn problems
Information includes how to assess for each illness, advice on how to care for your child at home, when to seek further help and where to find local services.
Gastrointestinal
Paediatric
+2
Entirely Free
80%
Level 2
78%
Level 2
Plan ahead
Even if you feel well now, planning ahead will be particularly important this winter, as flu and coronavirus levels are expected to rise. Apps can help you book vaccinations and get trusted advice from your home.
Book your vaccinations
The flu virus strikes in winter and it can be far more serious than you think. Book your vaccination now. Made by the NHS, the NHS app is free and amongst many other things, lets you:
- Book, cancel or change a flu vaccination.
- Book, or manage a COVID-19 vaccination appointment.
- Order a repeat prescription.
Intended age range: 12+ years old.
Medicines and Clinical Reference
+1
Entirely Free
82%
Level 3
82%
Level 3
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