**📅 Date:** ➤ ⌈[[2025-03-02-Sun〚Nudge Theory ▪ Why Smell Bypass Thalamus〛]]⌋ **🗺️ Site**： #🌏/💻 **👤 Who**：[[⍹+⊡␢⍭⚘⊡␢⍭]] ⇩ 🅻🅸🅽🅺🆂 ⇩ **🗂 Menu**: ⌈[[✢ M O C ➣ 02 ⌈F E B - 2 0 2 5⌉ ✢|2025-F E B-MOC]]⌋ ---   ## 📌 What is Nudge Theory? ![[Pasted image 20250302233307.png]] Nudge Theory is a **behavioural science concept** that uses **subtle, indirect suggestions** to encourage desired behaviours **without forcing them**. It was developed by **Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein** in *Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness* (2008). ![[Pasted image 20250302233404.png|#left|300]] In **neurohealth**, nudges are applied to promote **brain health, cognitive function, and mental well-being** through **behavioural interventions**. --- ## 🔬 How Does Nudge Theory Apply to Neurohealth? Instead of **forcing** people to adopt healthier habits, **nudges subtly guide their choices** in a way that feels **natural** and **effortless**. ### 💤 1. Sleep & Circadian Health - **💡 Light Exposure:** Using **dim red light at night & bright blue light in the morning** helps maintain a **healthy circadian rhythm**. - **📲 Digital "Night Mode":** Reducing blue light exposure **nudges** the brain to **wind down naturally**. ### 🥑 2. Diet & Brain Function - **🍏 Healthy Foods in Sight:** Keeping **brain-boosting foods** (nuts, dark chocolate, berries) **at eye level** increases the chance of choosing them. - **🥤 Smaller Plates for Sugar Reduction:** Using **smaller glasses for sugary drinks** nudges people to consume less sugar, benefiting **cognitive health**. ### 🚶‍♂️ 3. Physical Activity & Cognitive Performance - **📅 Default Calendar Reminders:** Scheduling **"movement breaks"** encourages **micro-exercise habits** to boost **brain function**. - **🚶 Stair Motivation:** Placing **motivational signs** near elevators nudges people to take the stairs, improving **neuroplasticity**. ### 📵 4. Digital Well-being & Focus - **🔕 Turning Off Auto-Play on Social Media:** Nudges people to **reduce screen time**, avoiding **dopamine hijacking**. - **⏳ Time-Limited App Locks:** Nudging users to be **mindful of screen usage**, enhancing **focus and attention**. ### 🌿 5. Stress Management & Emotional Well-being - **🍃 Nature & Green Spaces:** Increasing **access to green spaces** **nudges** people to **engage with nature**, which **lowers cortisol and enhances mental clarity**. - **🎶 Background Music in Workspaces:** Playing **instrumental music** nudges **relaxation and cognitive function**. --- ## 📊 Key Benefits of Nudge Techniques in Neurohealth ✅ Encourages **sustainable, long-term changes** without force. ✅ **Respects autonomy** while subtly guiding **better choices**. ✅ **Boosts cognitive health, focus, and emotional resilience**. ✅ **Reduces decision fatigue**, making **healthy habits the "default" choice**. > **🔹 “The best choices are often the ones we don’t have to think about.” 🔹**