493: Underrated ways to reduce anxiety & boost mood | leading happiness scholar Gretchen Rubin

“Research shows that people who do new things are happier—even something as simple as trying new restaurants," says Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen, a leading happiness scholar and bestselling author, joins us to discuss how to tap into your five senses—which, in turn, helps strengthen your mental health, creativity, and energy—plus: - Why Gretchen wrote a book on the 5 senses (~00:11) - How to make mindfulness more approachable (~05:03) - What you need to know about the 9 senses (~09:59) - The reason some people love rewatching TV shows (~12:30) - The health benefits of Opposite Day (~15:45) - How to find joy in the mundane (~19:44) - The benefits of boredom (~25:27) - How to become a better listener (~27:29) - How to use music to boost your energy (~32:57) - The interplay of smell & taste (~36:25) - How to know if you’re an abstainer or a moderator (~43:26) - The healing power of touch (~48:31) - What to do when you walk into a party alone (~50:47) - Why touch is so tied to emotion (~54:38) - How your brain filters sensory information (~58:27) - How the 5 senses can reduce stress & boost energy (~01:01:34) Referenced in the episode: - Gretchen's book, Life In The Five Senses . - Gretchen's podcast, Happier With Gretchen Rubin . - Gretchen's previous book, Better Than Before . - mbg Podcast episode #350 , with Gretchen. - Listen to Gretchen on Dan Harris' podcast . - Research on new experiences & happiness . - A study on phones at the table & distraction . - The Nostalgia Machine . - Gretchen's Five Senses Quiz . - mbg Podcast episode #272 , with Gary Taubes. - mbg Podcast episode #365 , with Mark Schatzker. - Sign up for The Long Game . We hope you enjoy this episode, and feel free to watch the full video on YouTube ! Whether it's an article or podcast, we want to know what we can do to help here at mindbodygreen. Let us know at: podcast@mindbodygreen.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices