Virtual Wellness: 7 Ways to Better Health Through Online Programs, Apps and Tools

By Beth Rush

Maintaining your health is more personalized and accessible than ever before. The world of virtual wellness uses various programs and online tools to encourage you to reach your health goals. It doesn’t matter if you want to build bigger biceps or improve your ability to handle life’s stressors – there’s an app for that. 

However, you can’t take advantage of these advances unless you know about them. What should you know about virtual wellness? Here are seven ways to better your health through online programs, apps, and tools. 

(This post includes affiliate links for which I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase)

FIIT home workout app banner-female instructor-729x90

What makes virtual wellness so appealing?

Despite advances in technology, Americans are working longer and harder than ever while earning $50 less per week on average when adjusted for inflation. This situation leads to neglect in other areas of their lives, like child-rearing and tending to their physical health. 

Furthermore, going to the gym often presents barriers: 

  • You must afford the cost of membership amid rising rents.
  • You must physically get dressed and drive there, requiring effort.
  • Some people feel intimidated by such environments.

The world of virtual wellness works regardless of whether you’re in a weight room or simply in your living room. There’s no need to concern yourself with preparing a face to meet other people. You can get your fitness jam on privately, whenever and wherever you wish. 

Smiling person sitting at a desk at home, with their laptop open to the convenient world of virtual wellness.

Modern Solutions for Modern Lives

Time savings might be the greatest advantage of virtual wellness. You know you should prioritize certain activities, like elevating your heart rate and checking in with your mental health – but 10 p.m. arrives before you get to it. 

Online apps and programs feature short bursts of activity, some as short as five to ten minutes, letting you get your self-care fix in between balancing budget reports and running the kids to soccer practice. 

However, there’s another benefit. Many of these apps and tools address financial needs, too. For example, professional therapy appointments can cost as much as $250 per session, and you might need support several times weekly. The right app provides one-on-one texting with licensed therapists at a fraction of the price. 

A person in a yoga splits pose wearing a headset for a virtual workout.

7 ways to better health through online technology

If you’re considering investing in virtual wellness, where should you put your hard-earned dollars? Here are seven ways to embrace better living through technology. 

1. Wearables 

Wearables have been around for a while, but their capabilities have expanded exponentially. For example, researchers expect the SpO2 home self-monitoring capabilities of the Apple watch to improve the ability of patients to manage their disease. Although the device doesn’t currently measure blood pressure, only heart rate, it pairs with several home Bluetooth products to help you monitor your numbers there, too. 

Furthermore, these devices influence healthier behavior. A recent large-scale observational study found that wearing such a gadget increased average standing hours by 43.9 percent. 

Although sitting may not be the new smoking, it can have severe adverse health effects. Wearing something that reminds you to get up, move around, and stretch can be a valuable partner in reaching your daily activity goals. 

A person in a leafy green park wears fitness wearables connected to their phone, helping them to achieve daily activity goals.

2. Fitness Drones 

Does the idea of a trainer following you on a bicycle while you run, like Mickey with Rocky Balboa, make you nervous? Even if you could afford the privilege, your daily jog would be far less enjoyable with someone barking commands like you never left the office. 

Enter fitness drones. These devices pair with your wearable to track you on your run, adjusting their speed to your pace and offering encouragement. Although early versions only worked for straight tracks, technological advances now allow some devices to see through 15 inches of steel and navigate around barriers, freeing you to take your drone training buddy on the trail. 

Fitness drones can pair with your wearable to track you on your run, adjusting their speed to your pace and offering encouragement, and they may be used for activities like swimming in the future.

3. Exercise Apps

Many people envision exercise apps when they think of virtual wellness. More options abound than ever, letting you get your workout fix anywhere. You can tune in on your phone from anywhere in the world, making them terrific for frequent travelers.

Choose from specialty apps for selected disciplines or all-purpose versions that contain various workouts. Some of the top choices include:

(Check out Elly’s experience testing the FIIT home workout app).

What if you don’t have the money for an app? Don’t despair. YouTube is a fabulous, free resource where wannabe influencers and top fitness stars alike share workouts. Although you might have to search a little to find programs you love, once you do, you can sweat it up in your living room without paying a dime. 

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4. Mental Health Apps 

There’s more to virtual wellness than improving your body. Your mind matters just as much, if not more, considering how the exhaustion that often accompanies anxiety and depression can sap your will to work out. 

However, therapy is expensive, and not everyone can afford an hour out of their week for a couch session, let alone two or three. Today’s mental health apps offer various programs and price points to suit your needs and budget. For example, some, like Talkspace and BetterHelp, offer live therapeutic sessions for a fraction of the cost of traditional counseling. They also have various plans for those who need lower support levels. 

Additionally, you can find free tools to help with your mental health. Some of the best ones include: 

Today’s mental health apps offer various programs and price points to suit your needs and budget, allowing you to access affordable virtual wellness services from your home or anywhere.

5. Nutrition Calculators and Meal Planners 

Much of your wellness revolves around your diet. Whether or not food is medicine is a matter of debate among scientists, but there is little doubt that consuming certain substances harms your health while the right nutrition improves it.

Adjusting your diet to prevent, reduce, or reverse disease symptoms only makes sense as it’s far less costly than a doctor’s visit. But how is the average person supposed to weed through all the conflicting info and know what to eat

One answer is to subscribe to a healthy meal delivery service. Many allow you to customize your plan to suit your needs – for example, choosing vegetarian or low-carb options. They then handle the prep work and measuring for you, ensuring perfect portions that minimize waste and prevent overindulgence. 

Another option is to use a nutrition calculator app, such as CalorieCounter or MyFitnessPal to log your daily intake and review and adjust it accordingly. Many such programs pair with your wearables and provide suggestions to help you improve your daily diet without feeling deprived. 

Use a nutrition calculator app, such as CalorieCounter or MyFitnessPal to log your daily intake and review and adjust it accordingly, a helpful tool in the world of virtual wellness.

6. Support Groups

It’s one thing to talk to a therapist and quite another to relate to someone who has experienced similar struggles. There’s power in camaraderie, and technology makes it possible to connect with others online, even for those with disabilities who may find in-person meetings challenging. 

You can use online resources like the one at The Mighty to locate support groups for specific concerns, such as IBS, migraine, and various mental health matters. You can also download the following chat apps to check in with other people who “get it” throughout the day. It’s much healthier than scrolling traditional social media:

Online support groups are a usual virtual wellness tool to help enhance a sense of connection, belonging, and understanding.

7. Telehealth

Even if you do all the right things, you sometimes need regular medical care. However, services can be hard to come by, with many urban areas having wait lists stretching months or more and rural residents unable to travel possibly hundreds of miles to the nearest specialist. 

You can access telehealth services in various ways. For example, you can go directly through an app like Sesame, HealthTap, or Teladoc. The beauty of some platforms is that they don’t require insurance coverage, although you can add yours if you have it to reduce prices. Others, such as Zocdoc, request insurance information but perform additional checks to ensure the provider you choose is in your network. Your insurance carrier can also connect you with options.

These services can be invaluable for connecting you with specialists when none are available in your area. For example, platforms like Headway can help you find specialized mental health care, even if trauma-informed therapy is hard to come by where you live.

You can access telehealth services via various apps, an accessbile way to better health for many people.

Exploring the world of virtual wellness

Today, you have more options for taking care of your health than ever, thanks to the world of virtual wellness. The online programs, apps, and tools above can help you address specific needs or simply improve areas you feel could use a bit of work. 

From nutrition to fitness to mental health, there’s something for everyone. Grab your phone, hit the app store, or go online to explore your new options for accelerating your wellness.

There are many options for virtual wellness, from fitness apps, to wearables, mental health support services, and more.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these recommended service provider links, like an insurance broker, or a travel agent, I may earn a commission – at no extra cost to you. [For my full disclosure, please see my DISCLAIMER page].

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Beth Rush

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