For bite-sized videos | For mental wellbeing | For staying connected | For binge-watching old favourites | For keeping healthy and fit | For learning a language | For learning yoga | For ordering takeaways
For bite-sized videos - TikTok
FREE
Though this social media app was released in 2016, it only recently soared in popularity after the demise of the video platform Vine. During lockdown, millions of users have joined TikTok to share short videos of their daily antics, comedy sketches, and video compilations. Anyone can edit a video on here, with it being easy to snip clips together, as well as applying effects, filters, and music.
Around 800 million people use TikTok worldwide, with 41% of users being aged between 16 and 24. It’s predominantly used by Gen Z and millennials due to its constant stream of bite-size videos that feeds into their fast-paced lifestyle.
The more you use the app, the more personalised it gets. Your “For You” page is filled with videos that are similar to content you’ve liked or interacted with while scrolling. If you’re looking to create a viral video or just entertain yourself while indoors, TikTok has become the way forward.
For mental wellbeing - Headspace
FREE - offers in-app purchases
During this difficult time, many people have turned to meditation apps to help control and navigate their emotions. Meditation can reduce the impact of anxiety and depression through techniques like breathing, self perception, realigning negative thoughts, and improving overall wellbeing.
Headspace is one of the most popular meditation apps, with over one million subscribers. The app is free to use, but for £9.99 a month (or £49.99 for the year) you can unlock its premium features.
Some exercises included in the app are:
- Aiding you to sleep with meditation videos specifically designed to calm the mind and body
- Daily meditations with a new focus
- Meditation videos tailored to helping you wake up in a positive mindset
- Meditations that encourage physical exercise as well, to keep both your mind and your body healthy
- SOS sessions to help you get through a particularly stressful or high-panic scenario
There are also a number of focused categories you can pick from to tailor your meditation experience to your specific worries and needs.
For staying connected - Zoom
FREE - offers in-app purchases (subscriptions)
Zoom has taken the digital world by storm during Covid-19, with friends, families, and companies all relying on this video calling app to stay connected.
Up to 100 people can join one video call, so even big businesses can stay in touch and share presentations with each other. You can join a call from anywhere in the world and host videos for free for up to 40 minutes at a time. Subscribe to one of their premium packages to unlock unlimited group chats.
It’s not just video - you can send files, images, links and gifs, create and join public or private chatting channels, make and receive phone calls with voicemails and transcripts, and connect safely while driving using Apple CarPlay. Some features are only available to users on paid subscription.
With a number of video apps on the market, there’s no shortage of options to stay connected during isolation.
For binge-watching old favourites - Disney+
FREE - offers in-app purchases (subscriptions)
Disney+ is a streaming service with a library full of over 100 new and classic Disney films and shows. There are also documentaries and other series available on the service, from big names that work in partnership with Disney, like Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
You can also download films and series to watch offline while you’re out and about (although it’s not like anyone will be doing that much with lockdown!).
For £5.99 per month or £59.99 a year, you can get an ad-free experience with access to all of the new releases and premium content.
For all the parents with children, or adult Disney-fanatics, this is a must-have streaming service to survive the local lockdowns.
For keeping fit and healthy - Strava
FREE
Fitness and weight-loss are primary focuses for many people during lockdown. Maintaining health is vitally important to fight illnesses and keep your mind happy.
Strava is a popular running app that allows you to track your journey with GPS technology. You can also join challenges and compete with your friends by sharing maps and times. This encourages you to run more, and therefore get healthier, to see how much of the map you cover each time.
With over 55 million users, you’d be joining a large community of like-minded people who are determined to get fit and healthy during lockdown. Strava could be just the motivation you need to get running.
For learning another language - Duolingo
FREE - offers in-app purchases
Everyone says lockdown is the perfect time to invest in learning a new skill. For many, they’ve chosen languages. Duolingo teaches you through a series of fun listening, writing, speaking, and matching exercises to help you learn the basics (and intricacies) of a new language.
With more than 35 languages to choose from, Duolingo helps you prepare for real conversations with native speakers with their game-like lessons. The courses are designed to fit around your schedule - you can decide how much you do each day, with lessons only taking a few minutes each.
You can track your progress and receive awards when you hit daily goals. Join a community of over 300 million learners around the world, and start showing off your new skills to friends and family.
For learning yoga - Down Dog
FREE - offers in-app purchases
With restrictions in place outside, many have taken to indoor exercise during lockdown. One of the most popular forms is yoga, which can easily be done from the comfort of your own home. By combining meditation with stretching, it’s a great way to strengthen muscles whilst relieving stress.
Originally a paid app, Down Dog is now free to encourage more people to take up yoga while in lockdown. It is completely customisable, with the user having the ability to select the length of the session, the style, and the body part you want to focus on.
With video demonstrations and audio guidance, exercise has never been easier. It is suitable for all levels, from beginners to advanced experts, and you’ll never do the same exercise twice - keeping it fresh and interesting during lockdown, when everything seems a little repetitive.
For ordering takeaways - Just Eat
FREE
With restaurants, cafes and pubs either closed, only open at certain times, or not feeling like a safe place to be, takeaways have saved many a date-night during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Just Eat is the most popular delivery service in the world, operating in 13 countries, and partnered with over 30,000 food retailers to provide people with quality food at their door.
Simply enter your postcode and browse the menus of nearby establishments before placing an order. Places will generally have a minimum order with free delivery, or a fixed amount to cover the cost of petrol.
Just Eat lets you filter search results by cuisine, which is perfect if you know what you fancy. If you’re unsure, they often run special offers and discounts at selective restaurants, which might help swing things.
Remember to stay safe during lockdown, but also to keep yourself entertained whilst stuck indoors.
For more ways to keep yourself occupied, check out our posts on the best apps for the elderly, best podcast apps, top reading apps, top educational apps, best music streaming apps, and the best free photo-editing apps. And if you’re a parent during Covid-19, you’ll definitely need our list of sanity-saving apps!
