Modern Tools for Memory: Daily Vitamins

Jimmy Chenhabits.stanford.edu

Why daily vitamins?

• Focus: once-a-day vitamins like multivitamins, Omega-3 tablets, etc. Shown to improve health, but missing one dosage does not cause dramatic problems

• Low cost/high return habit• Simply a matter of memory• Theme: Technology is uniquely positioned to

aid memory – tech can remain unobtrusive while automating memory

ReminderFox: A Firefox extension for tracking events

Justification: many people spend lots of time on Firefox, making it an ideal medium to push reminders. Furthermore, they are likely to be on the internet when they need to be reminded of something

http://reminderfox.mozdev.org/

e-Pill Multi-Alarm Pill Box: A travel-size pillbox with adjustable alarms and a missed pill indicator

Justification: provides a hot trigger given that the pills/vitamins are right where the alarm is. Despite this item being designed for pills, it could also be easily utilized for daily vitamins – even though vitamins do not need to be on as strict a schedule, scheduling a daily vitamin time may help habit formation

http://www.amazon.com/Multi-Alarm-PLUS-Batteries-Indicator-Compartment/dp/B000KL6MQU/ref=pd_sbs_hpcs_6

Google Calendar: a popular online calendar with a variety of reminder formats: popups, emails, cell phone alerts

Justification: easily accomodates recurring events. Integrates well with other reminders, as Google Calendar is popular.

http://calendar.google.com

Alarm Watches: watches designed with medical reminders in mind

Justification: capitalizes on something that many people already wear, and adds a reminder feature. Accomodates recurring reminders.

http://www.forgettingthepill.com/cgi-bin/ForgettingThePill/order.cgi?orderone++Watches+1+349+1

43Things: A website for social goal tracking by making goals public

Justification: integrates with existing blogs and profiles. Existing literature shows that publicizing goals helps achieve them; social pressure has been shown to be effective

http://www.43things.com/

Summary

• There are many different mediums through which to augment memory:– Physical reminders (e-Pill alarm pillbox, alarm watches)– Electronic reminders (ReminderFox, Google Calendar)– Social pressure (43Things)

Can these tools go beyond memory and actually help form permanent habits? Are these measure for intervention or integration?