Wellbeing apps have helped keep people healthy during the pandemic
Apps have helped keep people healthy through the pandemic, found a survey of over 24,000 people in the UK and US.
Innovation and research agency Buzzback interviewed the respondents at 24 intervals over the past year and asked them questions about topics such as their sleep, diet and exercise habits so find out how the pandemic has impacted people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Unsurprisingly, 56% said their mental wellbeing and mood had worsened, 53% said they felt lonelier and 47% claimed their mental health is suffering, with people ages between 18 and 34 particularly affected.
However, the research showed that many people turned to apps to help themselves stay healthy, with 24% of the group using fitness-tracker apps and 50% saying they had actually been getting more outdoors exercise.
28% of respondents said they don’t plan on returning to the gym or their previous exercise routine before the pandemic, and instead will stick with digital alternatives. Of these, 46% said they were attending virtual classes and 55% would continue exercise with apps.
Apps also proved popular as sleep aids. 40% of the group said their sleep was worse since the pandemic started, and 25% were using apps to help them sleep. Although 51% of respondents said they were now eating more comfort food, 26% were using apps to plan meals or help manage a healthier diet.
Martin Oxley, managing director at Buzzback, said: “Although keeping healthy isn’t easy nowadays, it’s fascinating to see how people are finding new and alternative ways to address their health and try and feel better. A strong shift to digital, with an app for every need, is helping consumers to keep on track, and when we return to normal these new habits will be part of our new behavioural activities and integrate in our day-to-day lives”.