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Z3 - Wellness Application Overview

  • Enhanced sleep health application focused on improving sleep and mental wellness for college-age users.

  • Developed by Patrick Mejia and Eri Kim under the guidance of faculty from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Abstract

  • Builds on previous MQPs to enhance Z3 - Wellness.

  • Comprehensive web-based application for monitoring sleep health and overall well-being.

  • Key features added:

    • Water intake tracker

    • Mood tracker

    • Spotify and Outlook integration

    • Enhanced recommendations based on user data.

  • Improved overall user-friendliness and updated server dependencies.

Acknowledgments

  • Recognition of the collaborative effort from faculty, notably Professors Richard Lopez, Diane Strong, Soussan Djamasbi, and Dr. Paula Fitzpatrick.

  • Expressed gratitude to Dr. Ermal Toto for server support and Professor Ruiz for mentorship.

Table of Contents Highlights

  • Introduction to sleep health and its importance for college students.

  • Background on factors affecting sleep health.

  • Detailed design and implementation strategies for the Z3 - Wellness application.

  • Findings and recommendations for future work.

Sleep Health Importance

  • Adequate sleep is crucial for:

    • Academic performance

    • Physical health and mental wellness.

  • Many college students face sleep issues related to various life stressors.

Factors Affecting Sleep Health

  1. Sleep Environment:

    • Importance of a restful sleep environment (comfort, temperature, lighting).

  2. Physical Exercise:

    • Regular activity positively affects sleep quality.

  3. Hydration:

    • Proper hydration linked with better sleep quality; dehydration can hinder sleep.

  4. Caffeine:

    • Monitoring caffeine intake critical for sleep hygiene.

  5. Mind and Mood:

    • Sleep quality impacts emotional processing and vice versa.

Existing Sleep Tools and Apps

  • Overview of various sleep applications and their features:

    • Sleep Reset: Personalized sleep improvement plans.

    • Sleep Cycle: Analyzes sleep data to wake users at optimal times.

    • Reflectly: Journaling app for stress relief and sleep improvement.

    • Daylio: Tracks mood along with daily habits.

    • Apple Watch and Fitbit: Use of wearables to monitor sleep patterns.

Implementation Strategies

  1. Updating Server and Database:

    • Reactivated and updated services for compatibility.

  2. Feature Improvement:

    • Enhancements to caffeinated beverage tracking and UI updates for better navigation.

  3. New Features:

    • Water intake and mood tracking functionalities added.

  4. Integration with Platforms:

    • Incorporated Microsoft Outlook and Spotify for seamless user experience.

  5. User Feedback:

    • Implemented suggestions from professors for iterative improvement.

Future Recommendations

  • Suggestions for subsequent MQP teams:

    • Incorporate advanced analytics for personalizing user experience.

    • Investigate browser compatibility issues.

    • Explore machine learning for personalized recommendations based on user habits.

Conclusion

  • The Z3 - Wellness application was enhanced through new functionalities, redesign for user-friendliness, and improvements in tracking essential factors affecting sleep health to promote better sleep and mental wellness.