How Streaks Backfire

Metrics and "self-tracking" could be making you miserable. In recent years we have seen the rise of tracking metrics such as sleep, mood, habits, steps, water intake, and so much more, along with the pursuit of maintaining streaks, closing your rings, and other ways of gamifying health and wellness habits. However, if you struggle with perfectionism or are a high achiever, these forms of improving your physical and mental health could be causing you more pressure, guilt, and self-criticism than you realize. In this episode, I'll be diving into why, along with how you can use digital tools more mindfully to support your health and well-being, rather than sabotaging them.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How metric-tracking can negatively reinforce perfectionism
• The harmful mental health effects of streaks and the gamification of mental and physical health
• How to use digital tools intentionally, rather than having them control you

Related episodes:

• When "Balance" Becomes Unhealthy: https://www.becalmwithtati.com/unhealthy-balance/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/NuVSTYstoX4
• The Balance Between Self-Compassion & Discipline in Getting Things Done: https://www.becalmwithtati.com/self-compassion-discipline/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/riJqMgaC3rI

Sources:

• Experiences of using mental health apps to support psychological health and well-being: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/19367244231196768
• Self-criticism, goal motivation, and goal progress: https://selfdeterminationtheory.org/SDT/documents/2007_PowersKoestnerZuroff_JSCP.pdf
• Perfectionism and Eating Disorder Tendencies In Calorie-Tracking App Users: https://research.ebsco.com/c/5x2dc3/search/details/owh4uehmnj?db=aph
• Research on self-compassion: https://self-compassion.org/what-is-self-compassion/#research-on-self-compassion

Mentioned in episode:

• Finch App: https://finchcare.com/
• How We Feel App: https://howwefeel.org/

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Calmly Coping is a self-improvement podcast for high achievers who struggle with high-functioning anxiety to help you feel more calm, balanced, and confident from within.

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Want more?

👩🏽‍💻 Work with me: My mission is to help you decrease your anxiety, declutter your mind, and say hello to a life of calm and balance. Learn more about my coaching, therapy, and course offerings here: https://becalmwithtati.com/work-with-me

👥 Join the Calmly Coping Group: The free supportive community for high-achievers with high-functioning anxiety. Join Today: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CalmlyCoping

📝 Take the Free High-Functioning Anxiety Quiz: http://hfaquiz.com

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My favorite tools:

🧘🏽‍♀️ Mindfulness Meditation App*: https://mindfulnesscom-partner-program.pxf.io/x97kyd

✅ Todoist To-Do List App*: https://get.todoist.io/8e7o0ay8n081

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Say hi on social:

🔗 Website: https://becalmwithtati.com/

📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/tatianaglpc

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatianaglpc/

📌 Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/tatianaglpc

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Intro/Outro Music: Rescue Me (Instrumental) by Aussens@iter (c) copyright 2018 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/tobias_weber/57990 Ft: Copperhead

Disclaimer

All content here is for informational purposes only. This content does not replace the professional judgment of your own mental health provider. Please consult a licensed mental health professional for all individual questions and issues.

*Links included in these show notes may be affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission for purchases made using these links (at no additional cost to you). All products that I share are products I use, love, and recommend.