7 Apps That Got Us Through A Year Of Quarantine
Next week will mark a year since the UK entered its first lockdown as COVID-19 gripped the globe and swept across the country. And whilst we recognise that a year of lockdowns and isolation has been the best for everyone’s safety, it’s undeniable that it’s done quite the number on many of us mentally.
So as we approach 365 days of our ‘new normal,’ I had a think about my go-to apps over the past 12 months and how they helped me as someone living solo.
1. FaceTime
An obvious favourite. Bringing some face-to-face communication into my flat whilst my friends and family can’t pop round for a quick cuppa or a night in is like chicken soup for the soul. It's not quite the same, but it adds that extra something to your average phone call. A video call app like FaceTime makes all the difference when isolating, especially when when you live alone; you forget how important it is to have some form of human contact. Honourable mention goes to WhatsApp.
2. Alexa
My ultimate home companion. From waking me up in the morning to turning the lights off at night, Alexa has done everything from helping keep my routine together to keeping me up to date with the news and playing my music around the flat (shout-out Spotify, I love you). Plus, after a while, it becomes second nature to speak to her and she easily becomes integrated into part of your day. With her various skills, it’s like having your own assistant!
3. Calm
Mental wellness has become a key focus during quarantine, so I’ve been making sure I take some time for some mindfulness and meditation. I’ve been using Calm for nearly three years and love it, and I’ve taken even more advantage of it whilst I’ve had some more time on my hands. Whether it’s a guided meditation, a sleep story (I personally find it super easy falling asleep to Matthew McConaughey’s soothing Southern drawl), or something from their music selection (Sabrina Carpenter’s Exhale (Strings Version) is beautiful), there’s something for everyone and every mood. Plus, you can focus on particular issues you want to target, such as anxiety, plus you can jot thoughts, feelings and gratitude lists in the app every day. Calm’s app is free, but it’s subscription opens up a whole world of amazing content.
4. Sleep Cycle
A perfect companion to a Calm sleep story, Sleep Cycle monitors your sleep every night and offers insights from your night’s kip. From tracking snoring and coughing to sleep talking and other disturbances, the app gives you the lowdown on your sleep duration, sleep quality, and more. In addition to general sleep analysis, it offers an optional alarm clock, which can wake you gently and gradually within your chosen wake-up phase. Main usage of the app is completely free, but for further insights, you’ll have to pay for premium access.
5. FitOn
With the gyms closed and being considered clinically vulnerable, I’ve avoided outdoor activity for the most part, so home workouts have been my friend. I came across FitOn about halfway through the national lockdowns, and loved the variety available, even on their free membership. The app also offers nutrition and wellness features, but I can’t personally vouch for those. Two to three FitOn workouts a week got my mind and body in a good place without having to leave the house.
6. Pinterest
Okay, so I’ll admit this may sound silly, but when I say Pinterest has helped in more ways than one, it’s true! In the first lockdown, I struggled during an adjustment period, having to get used to being indoors all the time. After years of my Pinterest account being nothing more than a pile-up of recipes I’d never attempted to make, I decided to change that. I discovered new go-to favourites, game-changing recipe tweaks, and can now make a pretty great banana bread. And just as my intensive cooking period eased, Pinterest became a new home for my interior aspirations before I decided to take the most recent lockdown as an opportunity to start redecorating my flat. Pinterest gave me an opportunity to take on both cooking and home improvement, and allowed me to turn them both into hobbies that I really enjoy.
7. Duolingo
Not having any concrete plans for a year will give your ample opportunity to brush up on skills, new and old. With a large part of my upbringing in Catalonia, travel bans have distanced me from my second home, and, boy, did my heart feel it! With my French and Spanish getting patchy, I decided to turn back to Duolingo, an app that I’ve used for years, just to brush up on my language skills. With plenty of language options to choose from – including Klingon, if that’s your thing – this free app is invaluable… even ten minutes a day can make a surprising difference!
The past year has been far from easy for anyone, and we may have relied on technology a tad more than we’d care to, but that’s okay! There’s plenty of time to make up for lost time off-screen when this is all over!
Image credit: Priscilla Du Preez
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