Create Social Distancing Habits with These Tips
Social distancing is a way to keep space between yourself and other individuals. There are several benefits in adhering to these guidelines in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic including reducing the chances for diseases to spread, preventing sick people from infecting others, and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. To help implement social distance practices into your daily life we’ve put together two ways supported by behavioral science that can help you and others remain healthy.
- Make an Oath. If you’re able, commit to only going out into the community when it’s absolutely necessary. Even better, write a pledge on a piece of paper stating “I will stay home!” and sign it. Behavioral science research shows that something as simple as a signature can make commitments more definite. This type of behavior is important because pre-committing to a difficult task increases the likelihood that you will complete the job. People want to feel like they’re consistent and trustworthy, so making a promise nudges them toward fulfilling their pledge.
- Gamify It. Get creative and create a game of physical distancing. If you must go out into the community, imagine you have a secret force field and no one is allowed inside. Making it into a game leverages behavioral science because it’s driving a desired behavior and helping make difficult tasks more enjoyable. It will also increase your chances of continuing to do them which could be potentially life-saving for yourself and others.
About The Centene Center for Health Transformation
The Centene Center for Health Transformation™ is a community-corporate-academic healthcare partnership that advances life-centric health research to improve lives so that communities can thrive. For more information regarding the Centene Center for Health Transformation, visit https://www.centenecenter.wustl.edu.