A pilot study tested having participants take two deep breaths and smile before entering their home to de-stress after work. Participants reported feeling happier and more appreciative of their home after adopting this small behavior change. They also started applying it when entering other rooms and spaces. The study suggests expanding it further, such as incorporating it into the entire commute home.

1. Take Deep Breath (x2)and SMILE! A Quick Trial to De-stress after Work Elyse Marr

2. Findings Sent five emails to join test, I got three participants. Pilot: When you get home from work, take two deep breaths and start smiling BEFORE you open the door. The door itself turned out to be a cold trigger, so we added a post-it note above the door as a reminder. I was excited to hear that people started to “walk into all rooms the right way” not just at their own home. They took a moment to collect themselves when then walked into a new room, and entering with a smile. I was surprised that this pilot make people happy past the simple behavior. It “gave them an excuse to take a moment.” The also became appreciative of their home, because they realized that they naturally came home smiling, without the artificial post-it. It was frustrating to get ahold of people at the right time to setup the most simple trigger, a post-it note. Next step is to make a more reliable trigger at every door, not just when you get home. OR make this tiny task grow into the whole commute home, not just before walking into the house.