Top 5 tools for creating health habits!

Shubha Lakshmi BhatStanford Medical School, Year 1

habits.stanford.edu May 4, 2010

Expert Focus

Demographic- Patients enrolled in clinical trials

Task- Adhere to the prescribed distribution of macronutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats) in their study diet. 

   Channels- Google appsTechnique- Remind and track

Tool 1: Google calendar pop-up reminder

The pop-up will remind you to plan the next day's meal when you are not hungry! This helps you stick to your regimen.

Tool 2: Place your macronutrient report card on your g-chat statusHaving your progress visible to your friends holds you accountable. You can even write in your status: "ask me how im doing!"

Tool 3: Invite your friends (over gmail) to a self-congratulatory party before you accomplish your goal

You are more likely to stick to the diet if you know your friends are counting on celebrating your accomplishment in the future.

Tool 4: Google chrome bookmarks

Set a your macronutrient report card as one of your Google Chrome bookmarks. That way you are reminded and more likely to open the site every day.

Tool 5: Post pics of your meals on Google's PicasawebPics are proof so you feel more compelled to show the good side of yourself to yourself and your friends.

Summary

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google calendar, g-chat, gmail, picasaweb, chrome

Contact shubhat@gmail.com to find out more ways that patients can use Google apps to help them adhere to strict diets as part of their clinical trial!