350: How to actually increase your happiness | Gretchen Rubin

Taste

Gretchen Rubin explores the intriguing role of taste in our happiness, using ketchup as a fascinating example. She explains that ketchup's unique appeal lies in its ability to hit all five basic tastes: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami. This sensory combination makes it universally loved and a staple in many households.

It's very funny about ketchup, right? It's like, why is ketchup so magical? Because everybody loves ketchup. It's like one of the most popular foods. And it turns out that ketchup is one of the rare tastes that hits all five.

--- Gretchen Rubin

Rubin also highlights the interconnectedness of taste and smell, noting that without the ability to smell, our sense of taste is significantly diminished 1.

   

Touch & Smell

The pandemic has heightened our awareness of the senses, particularly touch and smell, as noted by Gretchen Rubin. She emphasizes the importance of these senses in fostering connections and enhancing our well-being. The loss of smell and the inability to physically connect with others during COVID-19 made many realize the profound impact these senses have on our happiness.

Anytime we can feel like we're connecting with other people, we get a boost. And that's always a good use of our time, energy and money.

--- Gretchen Rubin

Rubin is particularly interested in how engaging the five senses can lead to a sense of vitality and connection, with ongoing research offering new insights into this area 2.