Can gamified self-care apps really make life easier, or do they just add to the chaos? One woman tries out four popular apps and discovers that while they may be fun, they’re not a magic fix for her own unique struggles with self-care.
Since becoming a mum, even the most basic level of self-care requires military-level planning. As I navigate my chaotic life with two small kids and a Kimba Cooper-Martin (gamification expert) explains that this trend taps into psychological motivators like achievements, competition (even with yourself), and rewards.
It makes tasks more engaging and less like chores. With the global self-care apps market valued at $3bn (£2.2bn) in 2024, it’s clear that many people are looking for ways to make self-care more fun and accessible.
I started by downloading Finch, which encourages users to look after themselves by caring for a virtual pet. I was initially excited to try it out, but soon found the app’s colourful display overwhelming and overstimulating. The concept of caring for a digital pet didn’t resonate with me, and I eventually deleted the app.
Next, I tried Habitica, which features in-game rewards and punishments to motivate users. While I appreciated the idea of making self-care a habit, I found the app’s cluttered design and emphasis on extrinsic motivation frustrating. The pressure to complete daily tasks and log progress made me feel guilty and stressed.
Habitica is a habit-tracking and task management system that gamifies productivity.
It allows users to create a virtual character, complete with attributes and abilities, which evolves as they complete tasks and habits.
The platform uses a role-playing game (RPG) mechanic, where users earn rewards, experience points, and badges for their progress.
Habitica integrates with popular apps like Todoist, Trello, and Google Calendar, making it easy to manage tasks and stay organized.
When I downloaded Ahead, I was pleasantly surprised by its clean and intuitive design. This app is billed as ‘Duolingo for your emotional intelligence,’ and it offers a more low-key approach to self-care. By completing short courses on managing emotions and spotting distorted thinking, I found the app surprisingly informative and useful.
I also tried Pokémon Sleep, which uses sleep-tracking technology to encourage users to get more rest. While I appreciated the app’s unique premise and data-driven insights, I found the pressure of gamification – particularly from the annoying Professor Neroli – to be off-putting.
Pokémon Sleep is a Pokémon Sleep is a sleep-tracking mobile game developed by Game Freak and The Pokémon Company.
It was released in Japan on September 18, 2019, for Android devices.
The game uses a special sensor to track the player's sleep patterns and rewards them with in-game items and experience points for their Pokémon.
Players can also participate in a 'Dream' mode, where they can interact with their Pokémon in a virtual environment.
While I was excited to try out these apps, I ultimately concluded that they weren’t for me. As someone who’s trying to spend less time on their phone, I didn’t want to add another app into my mix. Moreover, the pressure of gamification made me feel stressed and anxious, which is antithetical to the self-care goals I’m trying to achieve.
Gamification is the use of game design and mechanics in non-game contexts to increase engagement, motivation, and participation.
It leverages psychological insights from game theory to drive user behavior.
Studies show that gamification can boost productivity by up to 30% and improve customer satisfaction by 25%.
By incorporating rewards, challenges, and leaderboards, organizations can create a fun and competitive environment that fosters collaboration and innovation.
Dr. Frankie Harrison, a clinical psychologist, agrees that there’s a fine line between using these apps as a helpful tool and turning self-care into another task to complete. While some people may find these apps extremely useful, they’re not a magic fix for everyone. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide whether gamified self-care is right for them.
In the end, I realized that self-care should be about finding what works for me, rather than relying on a specific app or trend. By focusing on simple, low-key habits like meditation and deep breathing, I’m working towards creating a more balanced and fulfilling life – one that doesn’t rely on fantasy or pressure to function.
- theguardian.com | My life’s a mess. Will turning it into a game make everything better?
