1. The document summarizes an experiment on building healthy habits remotely through social reinforcement and commitment. 2. The experiment tested whether reminding participants daily to apply sunscreen through email prompts would increase sunscreen usage. 3. The results showed that while most participants responded to the daily emails, few actually applied sunscreen daily, indicating that thinking of a habit does not equal doing the habit.

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 ?
Building Healthy Habits Remotely
A lesson in THINK vs DO
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu

2. - 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

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

4. 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

5. “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

6. “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

7. Results: WHAT MATTERED?
Lessons on Building Healthy Habits Remotely
Lily Cheng
Stanford University
http://habits.stanford.edu