Holly Blog

July 13, 2026

Inside the Behavioural Engine: How 46 Scientific Techniques Shape Holly Health

We mapped the entire Holly Health app against the internationally recognised Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy, and found 46 distinct techniques that are embedded into every corner of the service. From personalised goal-setting to compassionate reframing, discover the psychological engine behind the habits that have helped 72% of users build lasting health routines in just eight weeks.

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Inside the Behavioural Engine: How 46 Scientific Techniques Shape Holly Health

We mapped the entire Holly Health app against the internationally recognised Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy, and found 46 distinct techniques that are embedded into every corner of the service. From personalised goal-setting to compassionate reframing, discover the psychological engine behind the habits that have helped 72% of users build lasting health routines in just eight weeks.

Holly Health
9 min read
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Health
Mental Wellbeing
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Living with the Invisible: Impact of Digital Health Coaching on Chronic Pain Outcomes

Findings from a chronic pain cohort indicate measurable improvements in overall physical and mental health following eight weeks of Holly Health digital coaching.

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5 min read
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From Small Habits to Meaningful Change: What 8 Weeks to 6 Months of Holly Health Can Do for Users with Anxiety and Depression

Analysis of 11,600+ Holly Health users with self-reported anxiety and/or depression reveals a 24% improvement in mental wellbeing and a significant reduction in GP visits over six months. 

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New Research Shows that Holly Health Improves Subjective Wellbeing in People Living with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Can digital coaching support those living with multiple chronic conditions? The evidence says yes. A new peer-reviewed study, published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR), has found that Holly Health meaningfully improves subjective wellbeing in people living with multimorbidity (living with two or more long-term conditions).

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2 min read
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Holly Health wins Data Driven Innovation and Collaboration Award at Digital Health and Care Awards 2026

What began as a primary care pilot has grown into a service now reaching over 11,000 residents across hospital services, leisure centres, weight management programmes and more across the Ayrshire and Arran region.

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1 min read
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Tackling Multimorbidity with AI: That's a Wrap

We wrap up our 18-month Innovate UK-funded project exploring how adaptive machine learning and digital compassion can support people living with multiple long-term conditions.

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3 min read
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Seven Points Lower: The Power of Small Habits in Hypertension Management

High blood pressure affects one in three UK adults, yet many don't realise they have it. This report examines data from over 5,850 Holly Health users with hypertension, exploring how small daily habit changes supported shifts in blood pressure, physical activity, nutrition and mental wellbeing after eight weeks of digital coaching.

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4 min
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Beyond the Diagnosis: Empowering People with Type 2 Diabetes Through Sustainable Habit Change

Across the UK, more than 5.8 million people are now living with diabetes, which is the highest number on record. Drawing on data from Holly Health users with Type 2 diabetes, this report highlights their starting points and the early improvements in movement, sleep, eating habits, confidence, and overall wellbeing after just eight weeks of digital coaching.

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4 mins
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Innovate UK backs Sheffield social enterprise, CWS with £250,000 investment to help local communities get active. Holly Health will be supporting delivery

A new project from Community Wellness Services CIC and Holly Health is set to change how community exercise and wellbeing programmes help people to stay active and healthy.

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3 min
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A Lifeline Between Appointments: Supporting Frequent Attenders in Primary Care

Frequent GP attenders often experience complex and overlapping health challenges. This article presents group-level insights from Holly Health users who reported three or more GP visits in the eight weeks prior to joining the program. It explores their initial health profiles and the measurable improvements in wellbeing and GP attendance observed after eight weeks of engagement with Holly Health.

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A user research analysis: The impact of Holly Health on users with weight management and food relationship goals

This analysis, as part of our Women in Innovation project, explores how the Holly Health app, using mindful and intuitive eating principles, helps users achieve sustainable weight management and improved food relationships. Discover how this approach leads to significant improvements in physical activity, psychological wellbeing, and overall health behaviours.

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Users' Perspectives: A Thematic Analysis Exploring the Feasibility and Accessibility of Intuitive Eating Features Prototypes

As part of our SBRI-funded project, we spoke with Holly Health users about their relationship with food and explored their thoughts on new app prototype features based on intuitive and mindful eating. Through these in-depth interviews, we aimed to better understand the lived experience of people experiencing problematic eating behaviours, such as loss of control around food, and how digital tools can be designed to support them more effectively.

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Data insights report from existing female users with problematic eating behaviours

This report presents findings from an SBRI-funded project aimed at supporting women experiencing problematic eating behaviours, such as loss of control around eating, through a digital health coaching app.

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Unlocking Health Potential: Insights from Holly Health Primary Care Users

This post delves into the aggregated population health insights from Holly Health's primary care users in the UK, highlighting their baseline health challenges and the changes observed after using the program.

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A kinder approach to food and habit change: Intuitive eating and why it works

We understand the complex challenges many face around food, often deeply rooted in restrictive diets. That's why at Holly Health, we champion 'Intuitive Eating', a science-backed method that encourages listening to your body, not restricting it. This blog piece shares why we oftentimes gently decline certain habit requests from users and what we suggest instead to support people in adopting a kinder, more sustainable approach.

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Stress Awareness Month highlight: How Holly Health helped Jane

The Holly Health team met Jane, who received free access to a year’s subscription of Holly Health digital coaching through her GP. Here’s an insight into the start of her Holly Health journey and how it’s going so far.

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A feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a personalised, scalable health coaching intervention for patients living with hypertension, anxiety and/or depression

Partnered with Northumbria Primary Care, we conducted a feasibility RCT of the personalised, scalable health coaching intervention, Holly Health, for patients living with hypertension, anxiety, and/or depression. Find out how 12 weeks of Holly Health use impacted patients, including assessment of health behaviours, personal wellbeing, and GP appointment frequency.

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5 min read
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UK digital health company launches Prevention Innovation Fund to support NHS Integrated Care Systems

Holly Health today announces a £320,000 Prevention Innovation Fund

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The World Around Us
Revolutionising Health Coaching: Machine Learning at Holly Health

How is Holly Health incorporating machine learning approaches?

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The Challenge: Delivering More with Less

The NHS has an opportunity to deliver more value, at a lower cost, using personalised digital coaching

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Holly Health launches partnership with OMRON

International medical devices company OMRON partners with Holly Health in the UK to pilot personalised digital coaching for a cohort of OMRON Connect app users

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Bridging Gaps or Creating Divides? The Role of Large Language Models in Healthcare

Large language models (LLMs) are revolutionizing healthcare by improving efficiency and access, but they also pose challenges like bias and inequality. Alessandro Chincotta, MSc, explores how LLMs can bridge gaps without creating divides in healthcare.

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Experiences of Holly Health Users with Hypertension: A Thematic Analysis of Qualitative User Interviews

Intern Alessandro Chincotta, MSc, conducted in-depth interviews with Holly Health users with hypertension as part of our government-funded UKRI Future Economy project. His aim? To capture users' firsthand experiences and challenges, providing insights to shape a service that truly supports their needs.

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We’re Celebrating a Double Victory!

Learn of Holly Health's recent recognition in 2 significant health technology awards

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Improving health and wellbeing outcomes: An evaluation of impact after 6 months of Holly Health use

Here we present an overview of the main physical and mental health outcomes after 6 months of Holly Health use.

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New Holly Health Prevent app will use AI to deliver game-changing advancements to multimorbidity self-management

Holly Health will be partnering with Loughborough University and the award-winning Modality Partnership to deliver Prevent and become the go-to multimorbidity digital self-management tool, helping provide positive health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of patients.

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Health and wellbeing platform reduces GP appointments and drives up strong health outcomes

Holly Health GP Appointments Reduction Data

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Kirkby PCN launches patient habit change service with Holly Health

Over 1,400 patients have already embraced our new personalised digital habit coaching in Kirkby PCN this year. The early results? Impressive improvements in health markers and fewer doctor appointments are needed

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Healthy Ageing Challenge: That's a wrap!

Read how Holly Health and Age UK Lewisham and Southwark embarked on an 18-month UKRI Healthy Ageing Challenge to co-design Holly Health for older adults.

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Holly Health Secures Strategic Funding to Tackle Multimorbidity Challenge

Holly Health announces success in securing £650k in an investment and grant funding round, including £323k funding from Innovate UK, as part of the Future Economy Investor Partnerships scheme

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Long-Term Condition Management Across Holly Health Users: A Retrospective Survey

This research report highlights the impact of Holly Health in helping users better manage their long-term conditions. Dive into some really promising stats and insightful testimonials where users share stories of improved mood, stabilised blood pressure, and newfound confidence.

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Research report: Holly Health impacts pain, mood, and self-management skills in a cohort of MSK patients

We are on a permanent quest to assess the impact of Holly Health across the health and wellbeing spectrum, we looked into the health outcomes of those Holly Health users who reported having an MKS condition when joining Holly Health. Check out this research report to find out what we discovered.

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The benefits of volunteering in later life: a pathway to meaning, health and happiness

Natasha, Holly Health project coordinator at Age UK Lewisham and Southwark shares the wide range of benefits that volunteering can have in later life, and her advice on taking the leap into the world of giving back.

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Bruno’s story: a brilliant success from our healthy ageing pilot

Bruno shares his experience of taking part in our 12-week healthy ageing pilot, what ‘healthy ageing’ means to him, and advice for anyone embarking on their own Holly Health journey in this short interview with Operations Manager, Lily.

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Small steps, long-term outcomes: Impact of Holly Health after 5+ months of use

Check out the exciting results from our latest survey which asked Holly users who are still using the service after 5 to 12+ months about any perceived changes to their physical and mental health, primary care service utilisation since using Holly, and general feedback.

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Tips for connecting with your community

Natasha, Holly Health Healthy Ageing Project Coordinator at Age UK Lewisham and Southwark, shares her top tips for connecting with your community. Whether it’s volunteering, joining a local exercise or hobby-based group or social club, read how to find what’s available to you and advice on taking the leap in getting involved

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User-centred design: Building Holly Health for healthy ageing

Discover why user-centred design is so important in healthtech and how we applied this approach to our healthy ageing project to create a user-friendly product that empowers users to take control of their health as they age.

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The Semaglutide Debate: Prioritising lifestyle behaviours for overall health over medication

This blog piece offers a different perspective on the use of medication for weight loss purposes: from physical and psychological side effects to sustainability and hidden costs. Be aware, it's a controversial one!

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How does Holly Health impact health and wellbeing?

Over the last year, Holly Health has partnered with over 100 UK GP practices, with a population coverage of over 500,000 patients. This has allowed the company to support thousands of people and to, through data, see how the app can make a genuine impact at scale. Here are some of the main outcomes and insights we've seen so far.

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Holly Health stories: Lin's boost of self-confidence following menopause

We love hearing from the Holly Health community and how people are using Holly Health to support their health and wellbeing.

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Prescribing preventative app-based care

Prescriptions aren’t just for medication. As healthcare becomes more digitised, doctors are prescribing smartphone-enabled and web apps to help with the adoption of healthier lifestyles and to reduce health risks

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Holly Health stories: Geoff's journey to find balance

We always love hearing the experiences of our users, to learn how Holly Health has helped impact their health and wellbeing. We recently sat down with Geoff, who has been using Holly Health since August 2022. Conscious that over the years of working, he had struggled to manage his work-life balance and invariably prioritised work ahead of health, he was looking for actionable tips to improve his mental and physical wellbeing.

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Happy New Habits

Out with unachievable new years resolutions, in with Holly Health habit change support

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The World Around Us
Holly Health Healthy Ageing Service: Access For All!

Offering service access to over 50's around the UK!

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Empowering patients to self-manage health with digital tools

Empowering patients to self-manage their own health improves treatment adherence, health outcomes and reduces pressure on a struggling health service. In this post, we explore how digital health technologies are encouraging people to be at the centre of their own care

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Health
Holly Health stories: Beverley's back pocket personal trainer

We always love hearing the experiences of our users, to learn how Holly Health has helped impact their health and wellbeing. We recently sat down with Beverley, who has been using Holly Health since September 2022. Having struggled with staying regularly active, and always looking for new ways to positively influence her health, she discovered Holly Health.

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Rolling out the Holly Health service in a primary care setting - preliminary health and wellbeing outcomes

Over the last year, Holly Health has successfully partnered with a number of GP practices from all across the UK, to trial our services and reach our goal of impacting 1 million people by 2025. So, we have used this fantastic opportunity to research the impact of our services at scale, and in doing so we have produced some exciting preliminary results.

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Holly Health stories: Mary's meditation journey

We always love hearing the experiences of our users, to learn how Holly Health has helped impact their health and wellbeing. We recently sat down with Mary, who has been using Holly Health for six months. Having struggled with managing her anxiety for many years, and always looking for new ways to make proactive and healthy changes in her life, Mary discovered Holly Health.

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Weight-neutral approaches for better physical and mental health outcomes

Weight is not a good indicator of health. So why are we still focusing on a number on the scale so much? In this blog post, we go through our stance on weight loss and why we choose to support people with health-promoting behaviours independently of body weight.

Holly Health
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Health
Nutrition
Disordered eating: the new normal?

Has society's obsession with appearance fuelled disordered eating as the new normal? At Holly Health, we encourage the narrative that food is to be enjoyed for what it is.

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Health
Mental Wellbeing
Nutrition
Digital behaviour change coach, Holly Health, partners with Age UK to promote healthy ageing, as it announces £1.4M of funding

£1.4M funding will support Holly Health’s work into sustainable behavioural change and healthy ageing

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Older adults are not afraid of technology: Insights from a qualitative study

An insightful study into older adults' attitudes towards adopting digital health

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Health
Product & Business News
The World Around Us
Why practice self-compassion? Also, what is that?

The science behind self-compassion, common misconceptions and practical exercises to start incorporating more of it

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Mental Wellbeing
Digital health for healthy ageing- How can we make it work?

A review of the challenges and opportunities of using digital health technologies for older adults

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The World Around Us
Health
Take a second look: Shaking eating disorders stereotypes

Eating disorders are not exclusive to thin, white teenage girls- Here's why we we need to shake this harmful stereotype

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Mental Wellbeing
The World Around Us
Modern Health Challenges

A reflection on where we are, and where we are going in the world of healthcare

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3 min read
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Health
From punishing to nourishing: Why we need to make peace with food

The importance of healing our relationship with food and how to get started

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3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
Nutrition
How to take care of ourselves and each other in the process of going back to 'normal'

Why it's ok to keep a slow pace and how to make it happen

Holly Health
3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
The World Around Us
The endless scroll: Are we Insta-addicted?

As a child of Gen Z, I feel as if my own growth coevolved with that of social media.

Holly Health
3 min read
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The World Around Us
Building a health app that treats people as individuals, not robots

This article outlines our reasoning behind building Holly Health in a way that supports and takes into consideration the complexities of human psychology. After all, we are trying to help individuals, not robots!

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3 min read
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Fit and healthy or unhealthily fit?: Dangers of Obsessive Exercise Glorification

The prevailing obsession with ‘wellness’ shows no sign of abating, with the emphasis being on controlling body weight and shape through diet and exercise.

Holly Health
3 min read
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Health
The World Around Us
Tips for supporting your mental health through nutrition

5 nutrition habits to take care of your brain after going back to 'normal'

Holly Health
3 min read
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Nutrition
Depression: A journey of self-discovery

This article is a very personal piece where Susan, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, talks about how it feels like to go through a depressive episode, and how to use it as an opportunity to get to know yourself better

Holly Health
3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
Using science to turn our intentions, into actions

It's very common to get 'stuck' in the place between wanting to make a change, and actually going through with it. This article goes through the science that can help us bridge the gap between what we want to do, and what we actually do.

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3 min read
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Professional Life
Engage your mind: Mindfulness and eating

This post describes what mindfulness really is, the science behind it, and how in Holly Health we apply mindful eating and other mindfulness techniques to support behaviour change.

Holly Health
3 min read
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Health
Nutrition
Using values to juggle work, kids and ultramarathons

In this article Tara writes about how she manages her very busy work schedule, while also taking care of her family, and herself. She gives us practical advice on how to juggle it all without losing sight of what matters in life

Holly Health
3 min read
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Health
Professional Life
Is job hunting a bit daunting? Taking care of your mental health while looking for a job

In this article, we’ll explore mental health after university, and look at some good ways to get ahead and attempt to combat negative cycles

Holly Health
3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
Professional Life
How your breath can help combat stress

In this post you'll find a brief description of how our bodies respond to stress, and two practical breathing exercises that will help you come back to a state of calm in just five minutes

Holly Health
3 min read
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Health
Mental Wellbeing
Weight loss and dieting FAQ's

There is a lot of confusing information when it comes to diet and weight management. This post puts together some frequently asked questions on the subject, and provides a science-backed answer that you can trust

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3 min read
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Nutrition
Health
A Lowdown on Probiotics

Probiotics are a hot topic right now. But what are probiotics anyway? This post does a deep-dive into the world of probiotics: Why are they beneficial, where you can find them, and what is the best way to take them

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3 min read
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Health
Nutrition
Winter wellbeing over the festive period 🎄

Take care of yourself this festive period

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3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
Health
The World Around Us
Science-backed behavioural health support app Holly Health achieves 89% in ORCHA approval

Holly Health is top-scoring health app, assessed by ORCHA

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3 min read
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Eating Disorders Training and Support

Challenges in accessing support for eating disorders, from undertrained physicians to pressurised health systems, and how digital solutions have stepped up to bridge the ‘waiting list gap’ - providing support while people wait for NHS care

Holly Health
3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
The World Around Us
All
Eating Disorders Support and Recovery

How to spot early signs of an eating disorder and how to seek the right support

Holly Health
3 min read
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Health
Mental Wellbeing
The World Around Us
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Ask an expert: Why is Covid-19 raising eating disorder rates amongst young people?

Tiago Duarte, psychiatrist and eating disorder specialist, explains one of the reasons why the COVID-19 pandemic has led to higher rates of eating disorders in young people

Holly Health
3 min read
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Ask an Expert
NHS workers and people awaiting mental health services to receive free access to digital mental health support

Press release 6th January: Holly Health launches £100k worth of support to NHS workers and people waiting on mental health waitlists

Holly Health
3 min read
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Product & Business News
Mental Wellbeing
The World Around Us
The Winter Blues

Here you'll find some reasons why we tend to feel low during the winter months, how this can be a public health problem, and some suggestions on how to feel a bit better

Holly Health
3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
All
The journey towards a better relationship with food: Erica's story

This is the story of how Holly Health helped Erica through her journey towards recovering from an eating disorder, and with her overall mental wellbeing. Plus! A FREE gift for you to get the support you were looking for.

Holly Health
3 min read
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Mental Wellbeing
Nutrition
DHSC Health Incentives programme: A move in the right direction or missing the point?

Check out Holly Health's take on the new department of health and social care health incentives pilot

Holly Health
3 min read
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Health
The World Around Us
Why nutritional health is about more than just food

Everyone's relationships with food is different and complex. Here we discuss our approach to help you improve the way you relate to food in a flexible and sustainable way

Holly Health
3 min read
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Nutrition
Health
Mental Wellbeing
User research at Holly Health

A brief description of the research methods we use at Holly Health to understand our users, and to constantly improve our product!

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Product & Business News
The Holly High Five 🖐: Holly Health Founders

The Holly High Five involves five key questions that will provide you with some personal and professional insights from some seriously inspiring people. This week we have Holly Health's founders Grace Gimson and Claire Wu.

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3 min read
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The Holly High Five
Holly Health Launch

A lowdown on the Holly health app. Plus, why did we create it and how will it support you in your journey towards health and wellbeing.

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3 min read
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Product & Business News
Welcome to the Holly Health Blog!

What you will find, how to get involved and much more!

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3 min read
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Product & Business News
The Holly Health Brand Concept

Curious as to why Holly is a bird? Here's a description of how the Holly Health brand came about

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