Wellness apps have become an increasing part of people’s lives with 64% of consumers saying they are now a part of their daily routine, according to a report by McKinsey. 

The number of app providers is increasing, a sure sign that demand is high. I’ve also personally observed an increased interest as more business clients ask us about wellness apps.

Yet, despite their growing popularity, their effectiveness is still under some scrutiny. Studies have reached contrasting conclusions, even though my own experience from speaking to clients — and using a wellness app myself — has mainly been a positive one.

Most employers invest in wellness apps in the hope they will help employees feel healthier, happier and more motivated. But is this goal achievable? First, it’s important to understand the scope of services available in wellness apps.

What’s in a wellness app?

Wellness apps are designed to help people achieve a healthier state of body and mind. Services will typically include areas such as fitness tracking, meditation exercises and cognitive behavioral therapy, mental health resources, sleep tracking, health assessments and dietary prompts and advice. 

Many companies now offer wellness apps as part of their benefits packages, sometimes as a standalone service, but more frequently they are included with a company health insurance policy as an “added value” service.

The breadth of services included in a wellness app can vary greatly. Some focus purely on mental health and sleep while others have a more holistic offering.  

When selecting a wellness app, it’s important that employers understand what’s under the hood and what success looks like. Most apps come with usage stats and employee feedback reports, making it easy to gauge return on investment.

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Source : https://www.benefitnews.com/opinion/do-employee-wellness-apps-really-work