Using Monday as a day to promote and sustain healthy behaviors

Health communications programs often lack an effective means of sustaining healthy behaviors over time. Research conducted by the Monday Campaigns and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health sought to determine if communicating health prompts and messages every Monday can motivate people to start and sustain healthy behaviors. The research consisted of a literature review of the cultural significance of Monday and a quantitative study to determine the day people are most likely to start healthy behaviors.

The literature review examined Monday references in the media, pop culture, blogosphere, and peer reviewed articles. While there were many negative associations with Monday, there were also attempts to reframe the day as a positive experience. The literature review also showed a spike in negative health events on Mondays which may be linked to increased stress, disturbance in sleep patterns and unhealthy behaviors over the weekend. Monday health interventions may have the potential to positively influence mood and physical health outcomes and help reestablish healthy routines.

A quantitative study fielded by FGI Research, using a nationwide panel of consumer households and businesses, evaluated health behaviors and attitudes on Monday. Respondents indicated that they are far more likely to start healthy behaviors on Monday than any other day and are more likely to sustain those healthy behaviors throughout the week.

These findings indicate that health communications prompts and messages implemented on Monday have the potential to help people initiate and sustain healthy behaviors.