Betting On You – The Gamified Path to Better Health

Betting On You – The Gamified Path to Better Health

I just read an alarming statistic that over a billion people worldwide are living with mental health conditions. Yes, you read that right, billion with…

Hello friend,

I just read an alarming statistic that over a billion people worldwide are living with mental health conditions. Yes, you read that right, billion with a bold, capital “B.” That’s almost equivalent to the population of India, or 13.5% of the world population. For those of us who struggle with numbers (no judgment, I’m right there with you), just imagine that every single person in North America, South America, and Africa decided to form a club. That’s about how many of us are dealing with mental health conditions right now.

I know, I know. It’s a little grim for a friendly blog post, but the truth often is. However, the good news is that we’re not alone, and there are tools and techniques out there that can help us improve our mental and physical health. And some of them are as simple as making a bet.

Yes, that’s right. I said betting. But before you start trading your mental health issues for a gambling addiction, let me explain. I’m not talking about heading down to the local casino or sportsbook. Instead, I’m suggesting a more personal wager—one with yourself.

Studies have shown that making a promise to yourself and attaching an immediate reward or consequence to it drastically increases the likelihood of forming a new habit. This concept, known as “Sticky Habits,” suggests that our brains are crafty little creatures that respond well to reward-based learning. Simply put, the more immediate the reward, the more likely we are to stick to a new habit.

This is where the art of ‘gamifying’ your health comes in. For example, say you want to start drinking more water. You could create a game where for every glass of water you drink, you get a point. Accumulate enough points, and you reward yourself with that new book you’ve been eyeing, or perhaps an episode of your favorite show. This way, every glass of water becomes not just a step towards better health, but also a step closer to a reward you actively want.

Now you might be thinking, “That sounds great, but how am I supposed to keep track of all this?” Well, it just so happens I have an app in mind that could be your helpful companion in this venture. It’s called SimpleFitness.ai.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to go full infomercial on you here. Rather, I want to introduce you to a tool that I find incredibly beneficial. SimpleFitness.ai is more than just a health app. It’s like a pocket-sized personal trainer, nutritionist, sleep therapist, and habit coach, all in one. It helps you track your sleep, nutrition, and workouts, as well as gamify your way to healthier habits.

SimpleFitness.ai doesn’t promise to solve all your problems (it’s an app, not a fairy godmother), but it does provide you with the tools and insights to understand your health better. It encourages you to take small, achievable steps towards your goals, and then celebrates your progress right along with you. After all, every step, no matter how small, is still a step in the right direction.

So, there you have it. A potential billion-dollar solution (or rather one-billion-people solution) to improving your health. Betting on yourself may not be a guaranteed jackpot, but it’s a game where the odds are definitely in your favor.

Remember, your health is your wealth. And in the words of a certain fictional millionaire, “The odds are ever in your favor.” The only catch is, you got to be in the game to win it. So why not make a start today? Your future self will thank you.

Here’s to healthier habits and winning wagers. Check out SimpleFitness.ai and let the games begin!

Because in the end, the best bet you can ever make is on yourself.

Stay well,

Your friendly neighborhood blogger.

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I’m Thomas Panas, PhD

I am on a journey to live healthier and have made many small but substantial changes to my life towards longevity. They range from nutrition changes to sleeping and exercise experiments using various tools. In this blog I share some of my findings.

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