Save the Streak

In the interest of #mentalhealth, I ask all apps, trackers, programs… that are streak-based to build in rest days. If you have a streak closing your rings on your Apple Watch, or meditating with Headspace or working out with Peloton Interactive you can’t take a break without going back to zero days. You have to choose between wiping out all your great work and opening the pressure relief valve. 

I understand that streaks are motivating, but restarting a broken streak is extremely de-motivating. Once you’ve fallen off, getting back on is even harder than starting the first time. Celebrating a 7 day streak is really anticlimactic after you had a 324 day streak. What if streaks had a few free days built in that you could use when you needed them without a full reset? That acknowledges that life happens, and that rest days are actually really important to physical (and mental) fitness. 

Think about this as you’re designing products, or programs. How might you reinforce a habit without going too far? How might you build in flexibility that allows for illness, rest or just dealing with a busy day? How can you ensure that reward and motivation tactics don't tip into punishment?