Most of us have downloaded habit-forming apps with the best of intentions. Unfortunately, good intentions don’t equal self-improvement, and now those apps are just taking up space on our phones. If you only get things done when you’re forced, here are 10 apps that have found creative ways to nag you all the way to better habits.
WaterMinder
“Drink more water” is a pretty popular self-improvement goal, and before you ask—no, your margarita at happy hour doesn’t count. Being dehydrated comes with a whole host of negative side effects, but luckily, WaterMinder is perfect for reminding you to get your 8 glasses daily.
Coach.Me
Coach.Me forces you to form any number of good habits…lovingly, of course. Created by a doctor, the app reminds you to do various tasks that are completely customizable. So, let’s say you set a goal to meditate for 10 minutes per day, every day—the app remembers when you meditate and sends notifications if you haven’t been keeping up with it.
Habit Clock
This little app quickly became one of the most downloaded habit apps on iTunes when it was released. If you feel like you’re “drifting” just a bit more than you’d like, Habit Clock assists you in creating a routine for yourself. This app is perfect for people that have a hard time with time management—something we can all relate to on some level. You can grab this app on iTunes, and it’s coming soon for Android too.
Sleep as Android
Sleep as Android is possibly the best app anyone with poor sleep habits could install on their phone. Its primary goal is to help you sleep better, so that you wake up refreshed and ready for the day. The app records data while you sleep and judges the optimal time for a pleasant wake-up. To turn off the alarm, you have to do various tasks like simple math or puzzles. No more snooze button addiction for you!
Go to Bed
For iPhone users, Go To Bed is the app to have if you need a reminder to get enough sleep every night. Stop waking up every morning saying, “I should have gone to bed earlier.” This app encourages you to sleep, tracks your sleep progress, and even has a game where you can compete with friends. Stop staying up late and wake up refreshed with Go To Bed.
21 Habit
Full disclosure—21 Habit is a paid app…sort of. The first thing you do when you open it is pledge $21 that you’ll follow through with your chosen habit for 21 days. Each day you complete the task, you get $1 back. Every day you fail, you forfeit $1 to charity. Ultimately, deciding to follow through is your choice, but who wants to pay $21 to fail at a habit?
Chains.cc
Chains.cc will lovingly guilt you into a winning streak. Each day you complete your given task, you create a link in your habit chain—the point is to get as many links as you can. If you fail to complete your task, then you break the entire chain, and you’ll have to start back at square one.
Craving to Quit
It’s no secret that smoking is bad for you, but quitting is easier said than done. Craving to Quit was developed by Yale University to help make the process a little bit easier, though. It helps you stay motivated by providing you with videos, exercises, and an online support community. Best of all? It’s a program that’s 100% evidence-based.
Posture Reminder
Good posture is definitely not the most exciting good habit to develop, but slouching can cause significant back problems down the road, so nip it in the bud with Posture Reminder. The idea is incredibly simple—posture notifications sent throughout the day—but it’s exactly what some of us need to sit up straight and stop back pain before it begins.
Medisafe Meds & Pill Reminder
For those of you who take medications or vitamins on a daily basis, forgetting them is not an option, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to remember. Medisafe Meds & Pill Reminder is nothing fancy, but it’s the perfect app for those who are a bit forgetful when it comes to staying healthy.