The Art of Charm is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit betterhelp.com/charm today to get 10% off your first month. In today’s episode, we cover harnessing the five senses to level up your life with Gretchen Rubin. Gretchen is an author and speaker who discovered the power of connecting with the five senses. After a visit to the eye doctor, where she learned she was at risk of losing her vision, she realized how much she took her senses for granted. Her epiphany led her to explore how we can use our senses to be happier and more fulfilled. Gretchen now shares her insights on how to pump up, calm down, get focused, get creative, and connect with others by tapping into the power of the five senses. On this episode of The Art of Charm, we delve into the fascinating topic of how our senses shape our perception of the world around us. We learn that while preferences for taste are innate, preferences for smells are learned associations that vary by culture and personal experience. We explore how we can use our senses to improve our well-being, including listening better, using touch to calm anxiety, and substituting sensory stimulation to curb unhealthy snacking habits. What to Listen For Introduction – 0:00 Why do we prefer certain senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight) over others and how do we tune into our neglected senses to get more out of life? How do our senses help connect us with other people? How your culture influences your five senses – 16:01 How does the culture you grow up in influence the way you perceive the world through your senses? How do you use your senses to make time slow down so life doesn’t fly by so quickly? Nurture neglected senses to get more out of life – 23:58 What simple exercise can you do to make everyday experiences feel new and exciting again? Use your senses to conquer weaknesses – 31:22 How can you tap into your five senses to overcome cravings for unhealthy foods? How do you use your sense of touch to overcome anxiety? Delve into the fascinating topic of how our senses shape our perception of the world around us. While preferences for taste are innate, preferences for smells are learned associations that vary by culture and personal experience. We can use our senses to improve our well-being, including listening better, using touch to feel calm, and substituting sensory stimulation to curb unhealthy snacking habits. We also delve into the power of our brains to recognize faces and the challenges of navigating open-plan offices. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on the role of our senses in our daily lives. A Word From Our Sponsors Are you ready to take your career to the next level in 2023? Looking to grow your high-value social circle? We’ve packaged our best insights inside a course called, Social Capital. And, as a thank you for being a podcast listener, we want to give you this training for FREE to start 2023. To get your hands on this training and immediately start improving your relationships, go to theartofcharm.com/sc Running out of things to say in conversation… and still struggling to get people interested in you? That’s an uncomfortable position to be in. Don’t want to risk getting tongue-tied and screwing things up the next time you meet someone? Check out Conversation Magic now to make sure you don't crash and burn. With our bulletproof formula, you'll be flirting up a storm, sparking fun and engaging conversations, and making high-value friends anywhere! Resources from this Episode Gretchen Rubin’s website Gretchen Rubin | Happiness and the Four Tendencies Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World by Gretchen Rubin Check in with AJ and Johnny! AJ on Instagram Johnny on Instagram The Art of Charm on Instagram The Art of Charm on YouTube The Art of Charm on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices