Lin has been using Holly Health to help manage her stress and self confidence following menopause. She found that by incorporating a more structured approach to exercise and stretching, she has felt stronger and more energised. Here’s what she had to say about her experience…
Taking the first step
As a woman in my late 50s and going through menopause, I joined Holly Health to get me back on track and to try and gain back some confidence that I seemed to have lost. I have always considered myself quite healthy and active and so I wasn't sure if this was for me, but I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed it. My initial aim was to add some daily routines into my life, particularly to reduce stress by practising daily stretching exercises and moments of mindfulness. But, I quickly started introducing other habits and activity challenges to help me keep fit alongside little reminders like drinking water - which I'm not very good at!
Positive change and new healthy habits
Within a week of using the app, I added some daily habits to create a morning exercise routine. I find it doesn't take long to carry them out, so it's been really easy to keep them up and I now look forward to my mornings.
I'm currently completing the 'squat champion challenge', that I found in the challenges section of the app, to do 50 squats a day for two weeks. Even though at first I thought “that sounds like a lot!”, I’m enjoying the challenge and it’s getting easier with time.
I also learned that maintaining bone density during menopause is crucial, so I have incorporated triceps dips, press-ups, and a quick stretching exercise called 'stretch like a cat' into my morning routine. It might sound dramatic, but starting each day like this has made such a difference to my life as I feel more energised and ready to take on the day ahead. For me, Holly Health wasn't about drastically changing my health routine but about having that extra little bit of support that encourages me to keep it up, try new things and be kind to myself as I get older.
Lifestyle changes that stick
There are lots of features on the Holly Health app I really enjoy, but one of the most useful for me is being able to swipe off each habit as I complete it. It feels like ticking off a personal 'to do' list, and gives me a sense of achievement every time I complete a challenge.
The app is also really informative, with interesting articles in each section and easy-to-follow video tutorials to watch. It's positively written, encouraging and pushes you to move out of your comfort zone.
My advice for anyone thinking about trying Holly Health or that’s new to the app, I’d recommend taking some time to have a look around - you can’t do anything wrong! Give it a chance - the very first time using it I was sceptical, but after a few days, I began to really enjoy the Holly Bird and encouraging messages.
