Slowing down: introducing calm persuasive technology to increase wellbeing at work

This paper describes the design and evaluation of a system that aims to motivate people to take regular breaks. In a world where stress, and related mental conditions such as depression and burnout, are becoming ever more prevalent, it is important that we study how we can design environments, products and/or systems that support people to take control over their working behaviour. Informed by theory on calm, persuasive technology, break objects were designed that together facilitate taking regular breaks. In a controlled lab experiment, we evaluated whether our design influenced positive affect. Based on our findings, we conclude that using calm persuasive technology to motivate people to take regular breaks might have a positive effect on people's wellbeing at work. Further, we argue that physical tools like the one presented here should be part of monitoring and coaching systems aimed at behaviour change.