World Health Day 2023: Digital Resources to Kickstart Your Wellness Journey

As World Health Day rolls around again this year, you might want to use it as a reminder to prioritize your well-being, both physically and mentally. Fortunately, digital resources now make kickstarting your journey towards better health and well-being a lot less cumbersome. The only downside is, there are so many it can feel overwhelming knowing which to use. Luckily we at Pivo have tried many ourselves over the years, and are here to help you pick ones to suit your needs.

But first, what is World Health Day?

World Health Day is a global health awareness day celebrated on April 7th each year. Sponsored by the World Health Organization (now in its 75th year), it aims to raise awareness about health issues and access. The theme changes each year, with this year’s being “Health For All”.

Practice mindfulness to combat stress

In an age where we’re constantly over-stimulated – be it the news, our phones, laptops, work, or personal commitments, it’s no wonder we’re in need of a break. Luckily, there are some at-home options to offset the cost of that beachside vacation you’ve been dreaming of.

Mindfulness, specifically the practice of meditation, is less taboo these days. In fact, many sportspeople and celebrities are swearing by it. There are a range of apps that offer guided meditations, relaxation exercises, and mood tracking tools to help you manage your mental health. Perfect for anyone who needs to take a moment of pause.

1. Headspace: A mediative app that only requires a few minutes out of your day to check in.
2. Calm: As well as offering an abundance of resources for meditation and relaxation, Calm offers dedicated content to combat insomnia.
3. Sanvello: The top-rated app for stress, anxiety, and depression with over 3 million users.

Therapy that caters to your schedule

Since the global COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and mental health issues have risen by 25%. Accordingly, the use of remote therapy jumped from just 7.1% pre-pandemic to 85.5% after. The good news is that it’s here to stay as a viable treatment option.

Online therapy, also known as e-therapy or teletherapy, can be a game-changer for some. It allows them to connect with licensed mental health professionals from the comfort of your own home, making it especially helpful for those who live in remote areas or have difficulty accessing traditional in-person therapy. The increase in demand for remote therapy has given way to several apps that offer just that. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or stress, online therapy can provide you with the support you need to manage your mental health.

1. BetterHelp: The world’s largest therapy platform, BetterHelp provides a directory of accredited therapists to choose from across the globe.
2. Talkspace: A therapy directory platform with over 1 million users. After a brief assesment, Talkspace will match you with a suitable therapist within 48 hours.
3. GoodTherapy: An online database where you can search for therapists within your area.

Get moving

Digital resources like fitness apps and wellness blogs can be a great way to jumpstart your physical and mental well-being journey. Many apps offer exercises that can help you release stress and anxiety, while wellness blogs can provide tips on nutrition, meditation, and self-care. You can also use online forums and support groups across sites like Reddit and Facebook to connect with others who are passionate about fitness and mental health.

There are a whole range of wearables, such as the Apple Watch or FitBit that can supplement your fitness journey, too.

1. FitOn: A free fitness app that gives you unlimited access to the world’s best workouts from celebrity trainers.
2. MyFitnessPal: An all-in-one health and fitness tracker that allows you to track progress toward your nutrition, water, fitness, and weight loss goals.
3. MindBodyGreen: A media brand dedicated to wellbeing. It seeks to revitalize the way people eat, move, and live and offers free content, video classes, and live events.
4. Gymshark: One of the most successful brands on the planet, Gymshark puts community at the forefront of it’s ethos. The UK-born company not only offers clothing and supplements to help you get started, but a wealth of resources on workouts and gym life.

Read more: 7 Ways to Achieve Your Fitness Goals

Feel more motivated and inspired

If it’s motivation and inspiration you’re looking for on your well-being journey, there are platforms that offer tools to track moods and thoughts, relaxation exercises, and motivational messages. They can be useful for anyone, whether you’re a content creator, equestrian, fitness fanatic, sports person, or professional.

1. goop: Founded by actress Gwyneth Paltrow, the goop brand has developed from a weekly newsletter to a lifestyle brand that offers workouts, travel recommendations, and suggestions on cleaner beauty and fashion.
2. ThinkUp Positive Affirmations: Positive affirmations aren’t a new concept, they’re really just positive phrases or statements that we repeat to ourselves. But it’s not always easy to come up with them if you’re feeling low. That’s where ThinkUp can help – you can easily gain access to free affirmations from experts in the field.
3. Motivate: An app with thousands of handpicked motivational videos from mentors around the world, it also includes quotes, exclusive music, and full-length speeches. Depending on your goals, you can even choose from their customized categories: Success, Fitness, Wealth, Happiness, Relationships, and so on.

As we celebrate World Health Day, it’s the perfect excuse to take the time to prioritize our well-being and kickstart our journey towards better health. We hope these digital resources have inspired you enough to take the first step!