Friday Finds: Small Challenges Improve the Big Picture, Get Focused & More!

I was doing some research for work and I came across “MeYou Health” a new division of Healthways, a disease management and global provider of “well-being improvement solutions”.  MeYou Health is a company “dedicated to helping people pursue, achieve and maintain a more healthful life by improving their well-being every day.”  They offer web and mobile experiences that “encourage people to become mindful of small actions they can take every day to engage their body, mind and spirit.” Well that sounded up my alley. They offer a free program called Daily Challenge and are working on some consumer diet and fitness apps, as well.

daily challengeWhat is Daily Challenge?
Daily Challenge is a “social well-being experience” that offers you reminders of small actions that can help you to improve your health in one small way each day. They send simple challenges (like eat more greens or ask someone a question to learn more about them). You can do this independently or encourage your friends to join in and foster a social network around positive health changes.

My challenges so far:

  • Find out 1 new piece of information about someone you have a close relationship with. (Emotional Health)
  • Eat 1 food that has carotenoids, like carrot, apricot, or pepper that’s red, orange, or yellow. (Healthy Behaviors)
  • List 2 reasons to get a good night’s sleep tonight, and keep the list handy for later. (Physical Health)
  • Stand, cross your right ankle over your left, stretch your right arm and reach, then switch sides. (Healthy Behaviors)
  • Do 1 small task or chore that you’ve been putting off. (Work Environment)
  • Share your favorite healthy and energy-boosting snack. (Healthy Behaviors)

How does it work? They email you a new challenge every day at 7:00 A.M. These are small things that are easy to accomplish. You find a few minutes during the day to complete your challenge. When you’re done, click done and you go to the site. If you’d like, you can share how you completed your challenge and see how other members completed theirs. I like to see what other people say/did about the challenges. There is a big social networking component and points that can be earned to unlock additional content areas and more daily challenges.

Is it worth checking out? I love the idea of small changes and daily nudges. I also like seeing how other people respond to the question “how did you do it”. I need another social network or tracker like I need a hole in the head, so I will be solo in this endeavor (unless any of you want to join me!) For free, I will get these emails daily and see if they have a positive impact.  I plan to try it for a month at least.

MeYou Health also has a great blog and health information site/app called Well Being Wire, too. Definitely some cool concepts in play here. If you’d like to check out Daily Challenge, click HERE.Screen Shot 2013-01-16 at 8.28.49 PMfocus at willNeed more focus at work or home? I saw the new website focus@will on the Today Show and on Daily Candy this week. The site streams soundscapes specially composed (or stripped of) key elements to sharpen your concentration as you listen. You can choose from different channels like Cinematic, Up Tempo, and Focus Spa according to their “aural/mental intensity” and see which are best for your productivity.You can try it for free for the first three weeks, then it costs $4 per month.

Seems worth a try, maybe, but I am pretty addicted to NPR while I work. How about you?

Screen Shot 2013-01-16 at 8.28.49 PMAnother daily challenge I like is finding great deals! Here are some that I found this week:

Still Available:

  • For all back to school and other shopping, don’t forget to check ebates for cash back AND coupons. Need a gift or just need to treat yourself. Get 6% cashback plus 15% off on Spa Finder Wellness Giftcards with code AUGUST15 through 8/31/2013. That’s $85 for $100 massage and then you get $5 back from ebates. That is $20 saved and a better massage earned! (click through from ebates to activate cash back and the discount code)
  • Also, if you are an American Express Membership Rewards member, save 30% on Amex Gift Cards with points and on many vendors at Shop Amex through 9/30!
  • Gilt City has a 50% off on cool water bottles from KOR, Over 70% off on prints from Printcopia, 50% off on prints from Instathis and more great local and national deals, too! (plus an additional 4% cash back from ebates – don’t forget that!)
  • Try all natural and cruelty free cosmetics from Pacifica and get 40% off Lotus Garden Value Collection. Free shipping on orders over $50, too!
  • Buy one get one half off and an extra $5 off for back to school at Shoe Carnival! Take $5 off of your purchase of $39.98 or more. Enter SAVE5 at checkout online or bring printed coupon to a store near you! Ends 9/1/2013.  Note: Cannot be used on prior purchases, refunds, exchanges or gift card purchases. One coupon per transaction. Offer subject to change without notice.
  • Check out great back to school deals at Eversave!
  • Hey Chicagoland eaters, Meez Meals is expanding delivery area from Naperville to Waukegan and all Chicago zip codes. To celebrate they are offering 50% off through August 31 with the code GROW50 and referred by Erica Agran. (Not in Chicago? Get 30% off on your first Blue Apron Delivery!)

Have a great weekend! I am doing something that I have never tried before – back to back half marathons Saturday and Sunday. Sound crazy? To me, too. I will let you know! What are you up to this weekend?

PS. Don’t forget to check out our awesome Honey’s Runners raffle to support the American Cancer Society. Only $5 to enter, 100% match to $2500 and GREAT prizes (2 new winners just picked and new prizes added!) and don’t forget to enter my Bearded Brothers and Simple Squares giveaway, too!