1. ing
th inking =? do ew
new habits = Way s to create n
simplicity + habits?
repetition
if (applie d sunscreen)
then (click 1st link),
if (w ill apply sunscreen)
then (click 2n d link),
else (click 3rd link)...
IL
en d if
7 days x 10
users + 10
days x 2
FA email +
op
users - 6 dr twitter+
ta
outs + 3 be wufoo = ?
testers = ?
social reinforcemen
t + commitment =
success ?
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
2-weeks experience using sunscreen
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

2. Target habit?
REMEMBER THE SUNSCREEN
Method? social reinforcemen
t + commitment =
success ?
EMAIL + TWITTER
Philosophy?
=
ing
th inking =? do
think sunscreen wear sunscreen
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

3. - REMEMBER THE SUNSCREEN -
1. wake-up 2. morning routine 3. check email
4. think sunscreen 5. hit reply 6. wear sunscreen
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

4. Remember the Sunscreen - RESULTS ?
od
✓ ✓ go
✓
1. wake-up 2. morning routine 3. check email
✓ fair ✓ XIL
ok FA
4. think sunscreen 5. hit reply 6. wear sunscreen
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

5. Results: RESPONSE?
# Active Average
# replies % said YES % said LATER % said NO
Users Reply Rate
9 62% 68 20 15 65
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

6. Results: SUNSCREEN BEHAVIOR?
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

7. Target habit?
REMEMBER THE SUNSCREEN
Method? Email works, but
is it annoying?
EMAIL + TWITTER
Philosophy? Still unknown how users
really feel about Twitter
thinking
does NOT
equal doing
think sunscreen wear sunscreen
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

8. “Hmm... I’m not sure this study is effective ... I find
myself subconsciously determined to beat it and not
wear sunscreen...”
FA IL
Philosophy?
thinking
does NOT
equal doing
think sunscreen wear sunscreen
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

9. “Often I would reply in the morning when it was cloudy
that I didn't intend to wear sunscreen, and then later, it
would be sunny, and I felt like I couldn't put it on
because I had already told the study something else”
beware of
l
unintentiona
s!
c onsequence
THANKS!
Questions & comments Lily is a master’s student in
the Earth Systems Program at
appreciated!
Stanford. Her current
research is in energy use and
behavioral change.
Website: http://bit.ly/DailySun
Questions? Please contact Lily at
dailysunscreen @ gmail com
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu