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Real Life Challenge

You might be wondering why we’re encouraging thousands of University of Utah employees to post their habits in an app for six whole weeks. Could this really make an impact? We truly believe so, and the reason lies partially in the power of posting, which goes far beyond points and prizes (although winning a National Park annual pass or stand-up paddle board can provide a bit of motivation).

Here’s some insight into the behind-the-scenes effect each time you post:

1. Reinforcement: as you check off completed habits, you’re forced to recognize some of your accomplishments that day. Most of us naturally focus on what went wrong, so this shift toward acknowledging what went right reinforces our confidence and ability to achieve our goals.
2. Reminder: have you been in the middle of posting habits, only to scroll over the “stay well hydrated” habit, which reminds you to go drink a glass of water? Or the “no sitting for more than 1 hour” habit, which prompts you to stand up and stretch? These subtle reminders lead to small actions that add up to big change.
3. Accountability: posting daily is a form of tracking your habits. Tracking is a way to hold yourself accountable and stay on task with your goals.
4. Motivation: we’re two weeks into the challenge and that one habit that you consistently skip over might be weighing more on your mind. What does “practicing a healthy mindset” mean for me? Why don’t I consciously do this? Could I feel better if I tried? Explore these questions to discover if there is motivation to add a new habit to your routine.

Remember that the goal is not to post the most habits, but rather to use posting as a tool to recognize your current efforts and a catalyst to ignite further change.

For more information about the Real Life Challenge, go here.[/bs_col][bs_col class=”col-sm-4″][bs_well size=”lg”]

FACTS ABOUT DIABETES

Diabetes is becoming a national crisis. An estimated 30.3 million Americans currently have the disease and an additional 84 million have what is known as prediabetes. Many of those who have diabetes and prediabetes are not even aware they have the condition until they develop complications.

Click here to read the full story.

YOUR TEEN NEEDS SLEEP

Teenagers need sleep. Despite what they may think, or what they may want, their brains and bodies are still growing and sleep is a key factor for successful growth. According to the National Sleep Foundation, teens need between eight and ten hours a day for optimal functioning. A new study published in the journal JAMA pediatrics shows that teens that get less than six hours of sleep a night are more likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Read the full story here.

For more expert health news and information, click here.[/bs_well][/bs_col][/bs_row]