You can actually help answer one of the big questions in health behavior: what habits truly move the needle. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Alberta are running a short, simple study to learn how people form and stick to healthy routines. You don’t need a lab coat. You just need thirty days and a phone.
A quick way to contribute
The study asks participants to take a two-question quiz every day for 30 days on the research team’s website https://healthdailyquiz.org/. That’s it. Two questions. Short, repeatable, and designed so researchers can see patterns without bias. The exact questions aren’t public — researchers avoid revealing them so the data stays clean — but the experience is meant to introduce people to how science actually works and how small, consistent actions add up.
Why this matters to you
When you set a wellness goal, information matters. Want better sleep? Stronger muscles? More consistent movement? Without evidence, you might follow well-meaning advice that doesn’t work, or copy an influencer’s shortcut that’s just shiny noise. Behavioral scientist Dr. Katy Milkman says the first step is focusing on what actually helps. This study aims to collect real-world evidence that could change how people set goals and follow through.
Define the right kind of goal
“Healthier” is vague. A better goal is specific and actionable. For example:
- One more hour of sleep each night.
- Two sessions of strength training per week.
Both are concrete. Both let you measure progress. And they’re the kind of targets this project is designed to illuminate.
Small fixes that help follow-through
The research points to simple, practical tactics to make goals stick:
- Temptation bundling: pair a task you want to do with something you already enjoy — like listening to a favorite podcast only while you walk.
- Make it social: meet a friend for a class or commit to a buddy check-in.
- Use fresh starts: launch a goal on an occasion that feels like a new chapter — a birthday, the start of a month, the literal Monday of your life.
The Neurobiology of the “Fresh Start” Effect
The reason “Fresh Starts” are so effective in behavioral science is due to a cognitive shift called “temporal landmarks.” These landmarks allow our brains to create a psychological disconnect between our “past self” (who may have struggled with consistency) and our “current self.” This mental reset lowers the cognitive load required to initiate new behaviors. As we discussed in our deep dive into why we overeat, habit formation is often sabotaged by old neural pathways that trigger automatic responses to stress. By participating in a structured 30-day study, you are leveraging external accountability to “overwrite” these patterns. This structured approach helps stabilize your dopamine response, making the act of completing a daily task—like a two-question quiz—a source of positive reinforcement rather than a chore.
Who can join
You must be over 18, live in the U.S., and have a U.S. phone number that receives texts. Sign up on the researchers’ site and begin the daily quiz right away.
Why join, honestly
You’ll learn about your habits while helping scientists understand which behaviors actually improve health and longevity. You’re contributing to research that might change common advice for the better. Plus, it’s short and low-commitment. Why not try?
Share your experience below — did you try temptation bundling, or pick a fresh-start day? Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and for the study’s findings when they’re released.
Did you know walnuts burn fat? Experts reveal 31% less weight gain risk this fall.
Sources:
- www.edition.cnn.com/2025/09/23/health/health-study-participation-wellness
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