I frequently read about research showing that spending time in nature reduces stress, boosts creativity, promotes serenity, etc. I always think, “Sure, walking in nature is great, but what about exploring a museum, browsing in a large bookstore, or strolling down a street of shops, cafés, and pedestrians? What affects do those environments have?” So I was very interested to see that research shows that looking at art has many immediate, positive consequences on the body. I visit the Metropolitan Museum every day, and I love it so much that I can’t imagine ever stopping.
Onward,
5 Things Making Me Happy
In my book Life in Five Senses, I suggest “Try by 25”—in general, if we haven’t had a positive experience with a food by age twenty-five, we probably won’t embrace it. I was intrigued by research about the “taste freeze” in music: By age 33, our taste in popular music “freezes,” and we tend to stop listening the newest pop music.
What happens when life doesn’t go according to plan? That’s the question at the center of the podcast A Slight Change of Plans, hosted by behavioral scientist Dr. Maya Shankar. Named Apple’s Best Show of the Year, it features personal stories alongside scientific research to help us understand ourselves in times of change—loss, illness, and everyday upheaval. Guests include Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, psychiatrist Judith Joseph, and writer Mel Robbins. Listen to A Slight Change of Plans and subscribe to Maya’s free newsletter at changewithmaya.com.
I love to identify distinctions: moderators and abstainers, simplicity-lovers and abundance-lovers, marathoners and sprinters. Under-buyers dislike shopping and buying; they often delay making purchases or buy as little as possible; they tend to resist buying items with very specific functions and will use makeshift solutions. Over-buyers enjoy shopping and buying; they tend to accumulate large quantities; they often buy things thinking “This will probably come in handy” or “This might make a great gift.” I was reminded that I’m Team Under-Buyer when I took a close look at the umbrella stand we’ve been using for years and realized that it started out as a glass vase for a very large arrangement for a surprise party for my father.
Back to the subject of the five senses: I’ve never played pickleball, but I’ve heard a lot about how fun it is—and how annoying its sounds can be. I was intrigued by the article “We set out to find the real reason pickleball noise is so annoying” which is complete with actual recordings of pickleball pops. The answer? Impulsivity, high frequency, tonality, unpredictability.
People have been asking about bookplates! Yes, request free, personalized, signed bookplates (U.S. and Canada only). I know that many people want these bookplates to make a gift more personalized—in particular, I’ve heard from many readers giving my latest book Secrets of Adulthood as a gift. But if you’re giving it as a holiday gift, please request soon! It’s a bit of a process to send these out, and it takes me time.
Small Daily Moves, Big Daily Joy: Gentle Chair Yoga for Every Body
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This week on Happier with Gretchen Rubin
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Feel Lonely? Out of Touch? Try This. Plus the Beautiful Pressure to “Use It Up”
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