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The Key to Better Memory – And Effective Wellness Programs!

Boosting wellness memory and engagement

Have you ever been introduced to a new topic, been drawn into the conversation, then quickly forgotten the main point? It’s a common experience for just about anyone. Fortunately, there are a number of techniques that you can use for better memory; one of them is called “spaced repetition”. And, when applied to effective wellness programs, it drives engagement.

Repetition is the key

Repeating something to yourself in order to remember it is a natural memory strategy that almost everyone uses from time to time. What many people don’t realize, though, is that repeating something to yourself over and over without pausing between repetitions – called massed repetition – is only slightly better than not repeating the information at all.  A better memory boost: You are most likely to remember something later if the information is repeated not immediately, but after a short spaced interval.

Why does spaced repetition work?

In general, the more difficult it is for you to initially retrieve information from your memory, the more likely you will be able to remember it over the longer term. Having something repeated to you immediately and recalling the information is a very simple task that takes almost no effort. On the other hand, repeating the memory recall over a small  spaced interval is more difficult, and this greater effort enhances your ability to remember the information later.

When to use spaced repetition

Spaced repetition is a great technique for how to boost memory and remembering something you can’t write down, like the name of that wellness program when you have been fasting and WANT TO EAT.

How to engage employees with personalized wellness follow up emails

Roughly 10 minutes after (“spaced”) employees complete their biometric screening and results review, they receive an email containing information on that same wellness program that was just right for them (based on their screening results), that they heard about just a few minutes ago at their health screening. That’s right, the emails are personalized to the screening results, and the best part?  The client controls the content:

  • Branding and logos
  • Text in the body of the email
  • Links and where they go
  • Instructions on how to forward screening results to an in-network physician

Employees have the option to take action right then (after their hunger is satisfied) or they can think about it, knowing they have the email as reference.  Either way, they will remember their next wellness step. The result is an uptick in wellness program participation rates for lifestyle and disease management offerings and more effective wellness programs. And it’s a great way to help improve memory.

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