Using the Happier App

Lemonder. This episode is brought to you by CareScout One thing I've noticed is that life has a way of bringing new responsibilities when we least expect them. As our kids become more independent and our parents get older, many of us find ourselves trying to balance work, family, and figuring out the best way to support the people we love That's why CareScout created the nation's first comprehensive aging care platform. Think of them as an expert partner to help your family find, fund and plan for quality long term care through a network of rigorously vetted providers, personalized nurse led aging care plans, and guidance that helps older adults own their aging journey and live well on their own terms You don't have to carry the burden alone. Bring clarity and confidence back to your family's journey. Go to carerescout. com slash happier today to discover a clear, bright path forward Tcout. com slash happier You can focus on exercise, nutrition, all the things you're supposed to do for your health. But if you are not sleeping well, it is very hard to feel refreshed. Especially when you wake up overheated in the middle of the night, that completely affects my sleep. whichich is why I love the Chili pad two. zo by sleep Me. It is a water based mattress topper that controls your sleep temperature and works with your existing mattress. And if one person sleeps hot and the other sleeps cold and that's Adam and me Each side can have its own temperature setting, which is amazing. Yeah, and I also love that it automatically starts when you get into bed so it feels seamless. Visit www d. sleep dot me slash gretchen to get up to do two hundred fifty five dollars off your chili pad two d. zo with code Gretchen. This special offer is available for happier listeners and only for a limited time Order it today with free shipping and try it out for thirty days. You can return it for free if you don't like it with their sleep trial. Visit wWw. sleep sLp. m slash Gutchen and see why cold sleep is your ultimate ally in performance and recovery. Hello, we're here for more happappier, a podcast where we get happier. Join us for some weekend listening. It's observations and reflections, but with a looesser vibe. Hey, Elizabeth. H Gch Now that summer's almost here, we are sharing some of our favorite tips from the past decade of the podcast that can help you actually create the summer you want to have instead of just imagining it. Which I desperately need because every year I have this fantasy version of summer in my head and suddenly it's September and somehow I never went to the beach once that's happened A few years Mh I know exactly how you feel. That's why we love the idea of design your summer because it's very easy to assume that summer will just happen the way we want it to happen. But it can be so helpful to think ahead, what will make summer feel fun? Memorable, restorative. What is it that we need? What do we want So today we are revisiting a few ideas that can help summer feel more memorable and intentional. things from choosing a summer song to thinking about whether you want more comfort or more adventure this season Okay, let's jump in And now for to try this at home, our try this at home is to choose a summer song And this can either be you're looking for like what is the song of the summer or you can choose your own song to mark this particular summer. Yes. We were partly inspired this because Eizabeth on the last more happier episode, we talked about the nostalgia machine, this super fun site where you can enter a year and it pulls up a screen filled with all the top songs. I mean, a lot of times you can also watch the music videos associated with them. and it's just super fun to pick like the year you graduated from high school or college or any year that sticks out to you and remember all the songs that you were listening to at that time. And so this is a way to focus it on the summer. Yeah. I mean, usually Grech and every summer there's just one song that's huge Like in twenty nineteen, Gretchen, I remember the song was Old Town Road, which was a little a littleittle Nz X song that featured Billy Ray Cyrus. And it was like, that was the summer song Yeah. And there's always that one song. And what I love is when you hear it then later It just brings to life that feeling. Well, and that's the thing I think is we really want to connect with is to sort of say, this is this time, this is happening now, partly to enjoy it in the moment. So we're really like, oh, this is the song of the summer. but then also in the future so that you really have created that conscious link and so that it really is a nostalgia machine. And it really does help you reconnect like, oh, that's the summer when we went to the beach all the time, or that was the summer when it rained so much, or that was the summer when we had a dance party, or there's just a lot of ways that it can help us connect with memories. Because you know I have such a bad memory for everything in my own life. I'm always looking for these theseese ways to try to make memories more concrete and more accessible. Yeah. And then it's fun during the summer. If you choose a song, well then it's fun to look for the song and say, is this it? Is this a summer song? or if you choose it, it's fun then to play it Yeah. You know, when you're in the car, even if you're, you know, driving your kid to day camp or going to work to play your summer song It kind of goes with design your summer, like make summer special. Now, I don't know what the big new song is going be for this summer, but for me personally, the song of the summer is gonna to be, I've got a feeling. Llizeth, you know, after watching the getet backack documentary J hearing them play that song, it got me just realizing how much I love that song. That's my song for the summer. Yes, and that's the Beatles getet Back documentary, which we have been talking about so much. The funny thing, Gretchen is and this is our sister connection Out of all the songs of the decades, I also picked I've got a feel. You did? Y. That's bunkers Now granted, you and I have been talking a lot about how much we love that song Yeah. But yeah, no as soon as we said we were gonna to pick a summer song, I'm like, o, that's my song. It's so happy. It makes me feel so good. Yeah. It's so brilliant. So we have the same summer song, but that'll help us remember it even more. It'll help us connect it to the summer. No, it'll be that focus on a particular song, identifying it, registering it, listening to it. it'll help us remember for the rest of our lives Because music can do so much to bring back memories and an atmosphere of time, it really helps tie us to our memories. Yes. And now for a know yourself better question. And Listen, I love this knowourself better question and it's the question of If you have to choose Do you prefer comfort or adventure. So Elizabeth, do you prefer comfort or adventure? Well, Grech, I thought about this when you asked me and what I realized is it depends who I'm with. interestnteresting. So if I'm in charge, if I feel like I'm going to be the person in charge, I prefer comfort. But if someone else is in charge, I prefer adventure. So a great example of this is Sarah So Sarah, my writing partner, co host of Happy in Hollywood, when Sarah and I are together traveling She's more in charge. She's just better at being in charge And so I feel very safe with her making decisions and knowing that she'll figure out what needs to be done. So I love our adventures I'm in charge, let's say, of planning a family trip. I prefer comfort and it's just because it's easier and I feel more confident when I'm planning comfort Yeah, adventure always feels riskier. The stakes are higher. It's a lot more challenging to plan something adventurous. Yeah. The itinerary, how far do you go? What do you do if it's raining really hard? Where is everybody going eat? Exactly.. So Gretchen, for the adventure versus comfort It's a good distinction because it helps you know what you want at a particular time. Be I mean, I think sometimes we want comfort, sometimes we want adventure And if you're with somebody who really leans one way or the other, that's good to know because then you can understand why you might be having conflict about making plans. And by the way, it doesn't just have to be about a trip. Comfort or adventure can be, are we going go to a movie today or are we going go walk around a neighborhood we've never been to Yeah It can be small or it can be big Right And it can help you work out conflict because you can understand why something that sounds very appealing to you does not sound appealing to someone else because if you keep suggesting adventure after adventure after adventure and nothing's working for them, They might just seem like, well they don't want to have any fun, but it's actually because they're seeking comfort or vice versa If you want comfort, comfort, comfort, but somebody wants novelty and challenge, It's easier to understand how you can arrive at something that's going to work for both of you if you understand Wh you might be feeling that difference. or let them go have an adventure with someone else. Right. Eactly. But then you would know why. Th then it would be like it's not personal. It's just that I'm looking for something else with this afternoon or this weekend or this vacation or whatever. So Gretchen, as always, when we understand ourselves better, when we know ourselves better, it helps our relationships with other people Exactly. Coming up, we share a packing tip that applies to a lot more than just packing and one of Gretchen's favorite ways to make summer feel more memorable First the spring Sometimes I find myself wondering, are the things I'm doing for my health actually working? Whether it's changes to diet or exercise, mostost of us are making decisions based on guesswork That's why I'm excited about our partner, Rhythm. It's the world's easiest blood test to help you learn what's happening inside your body. What's remarkable is how simple it is. You take the test at home in about two minutes using a painless collection device that sticks to your arm. Then you mail it in and get results back in just a few days. Rhythm tracks over thirty biomarkers related to cholesterol, inflammation, hormones, and metabolic health Rhythm is only seventy nine doll per month, a fraction of traditional lab testing and it ships right to your door Right now, Rhythm is offering our listeners fifteen percent off your first month and free shipping at rhythm. health slash happier That's rhythm with one H R Y T HM d. health slash happier for fifteen percent off your first month in free shipping Stop guessing, start testing rhythm d. health slash happier. One home upgrade I've been thinking about lately is window treatments. It's funny how something you barely notice can completely change how a room feels. I also love the idea of automating everyday things, so the thought of blinds that can open with a simple voice command is surprisingly appealing. That's why I was excited to learn about three day blinds Th Day Blinds has professionally trained design consultants who come right to your home, help you choose from thousands of options and then handle the measuring and installation I love the three day blinds we got in Jack's bedroom and I love them even more because we didn't have to install them ourselves Right now, get quality window treatments that fit your budget with three day blinds. Head to three dayblinds dot com slash happier for their buy one get one fifty percent off deal on custom blinds, shades, shutters and drapery. For a free, no charge, no obligation consultation, just head to three dayblinds dot com slash happier One last time, that's buy one, get one fifty percent off when you head to the number three DAY blinds dot com slash happier I've been trying to say yes more to little adventures. Nothing huge, just getting out of the routine and going somewhere different for the day And it really makes you appreciate having a car that feels solid and comfortable where you're not thinking about the drive, you're just focused on where you're going. That's what stood out to me about the Defender. It has that rugged design, but it also feels really thoughtful inside And I like that there's a full lineup from the two door ninety to the one hundred and ten and the one hundred thirty with seating for up to eight. so it really fits different kinds of plans. And it's built with those durable, purposeful materials so you can actually use it without worrying about every little thing. It also has features that make driving feel easier like Car sight technology and the Pivy Pro system so you can keep track of where you're going and everything you want to listen to along the way Plus, with up to eighty nine cubic feet of cargo space and available three rows, it gives you a lot of flexibility depending on what you're bringing with you Explore the full Defender lineup at landroverSA. com This episode, Elizabeth, ourur Try This At Home tip is always leave extra room in the suitcase. And this was inspired by my book tour because I was committed to the idea of I was only going to take a carry on bag And I had a little bit of extra space as I was getting ready to leave. and I thought about, well, I'll just cram in some alternative outfits, maybe an extra sweater And then I thought, you know what? I should leave some extra space. I shouldn't cram it full I should give myself some room this sounds like something that's literally true, like literally people should leave room in a suitcase. And then it's also metaphorically true somehow. Yes. No, I think it is metaphorically true because it's about making room for new things to come in Just like in the suitcase, like if I go and somebody gives me a book that I want to pack, I have room for this extra book. or if I want to frame one more family photo and put it in my apartment somewhere, it's not like everything is thrown into disarray because I've crammed my place so full that there's no room for anything else to be added. Yeah, I feel like having that little extra room, whether it be in the suitcase or you know, in your house or in your mind gives you more of a feeling of calm. like As you know, Grech, I've discussed numerous times on our podcasts, I'm doing our renovation of our house. and you know I have the new closet in my bedroom. Yeah Gorgeous one thing, thank you. One thing I noticed is I have still empty shelves in the closet, but I do have more clothes that need to theoretically go into the closet. Like I have various sort of baskets and you know storage boxes that have like hoodies and jeans and all this stuff And it's like, I don't want to put them in the closet because I like having those empty shelves, I like having that extra space. And so I've found myself, which is probably a good thing thinking, what can I get rid of so that I don't have to cram this closet full Absolutely, and this is you know the luxury of space. and in happappier att Home, my book about how to be happapper at Home, one of my resolutions was somewhere to keep an empty shelf. And I like to have an absolutely empty shelf. And I'll post a link to a video where I showed the empty shelf because people are always saying to me like Is that shelf still empty?, yes, I guard that shelf with my life because I love the fact that it's empty. There's just satisfaction in haavingving that margin. Yeah. I love a broad margin to my life and that room in the suitcase, that room on the shelf, it just makes you feel more expansive. Yeah. And then in a very literal sense for the suitcase, I feel like you don't dread packing Yeah to go home when you have when you know that it's going to be easy to shut your suitcase. Yes. Because Gretchen, for example I have a new carry on bag. and what I didn't realize when I got it is that it's just slightly smaller than my old carry on bag, which like the wheels came off of, so I can't possibly use it. And so it's like now I'm jamming it, I'm stuffing it full every time I go somewhere. So I think I need a new carry on bag that has just a little bit of extra room But you know, it's ocuring to me that maybe this is actually kind of related to a no Yself better question, which is do you like to have room in the suitcase or do you like to use every available inch? Because I think that on reflection, there are some people who really take great delight in taking advantage of every possible space. Like you think of something like on HGTV that show tiny houses, and it's like they make such cunning use of every available opportunity. There is sort of a gratification that comes from that. For me, the gratification of the empty shelf is much larger, but I know that there is that sort of person who loves Every hook, every drawer, every divider, you know, every pocket being taken advantage of Yeah, and to the point of the suitcase, there's probably thousands of videos one to watch online of people packing suitcases and like rolling things and putting things in bags and dividing them and using every inch. So yeah, It you floats your boat Yeah, if you have a lot of ideas about how to load a dishwasher, you may have a lot of ideas about how to properly pack a carry on bag So listen, this week our try tip is to explore the five senses of summer. This is kind of a twist on the design your summer idea. and this was inspired by a listener. Yes, this comes from Dakota who says, I thought I'd share my design this summer with you guys. I manage an ice cream store so summer is the busiest time of the year for me That results in a lot of early mornings and late nights and an overall feeling of dread on warm, beautiful summer days. Typically, I fororego fun things in waiting of cooler temes and shorter workdays. This summer, I chose to have a summer of the senses. I was inspired by your talk of the senses Both my husband and I had COVID this summer, so we lost both our sense of taste and smell Mind didn't return for nearly sixty days This summer I'm planning on making a vision board with one thing I want to do for each of my senses. As an example, I bought tickets to an outdoor concert to see dueling pianos. at an Elton John cover band. What a treat. Having five things to do this summer is giving me a little more structure and things to look forward to that normally I would say I'm too busy to do. Well, of course, I love everything five senses related. So this is like a mashu of the five senses in desesign your summer. So I love this idea. Yes, and it's nice to have an angle like as we say, like infinite choices can be hard. So in some ways it's nice to say, okay, I'm gonna to design it around the five senses that'll sort of give you A direction. Yeah So Lista, let's talk about some of our ideas, what we will do. Yes. Here in New York City, I got tickets to this Van Go immersive experience, which is sort of this what it sounds like Van Go immersive experience. I'm not exactly sure what to expect, but I was like, wow, that sounds like something I want to check out I'm doing a sound bath. I know you've been meaning to do a sound bath. the intntegratron. sound bath.. Yes. So I'm finally signing up for one so then we can swap. impressions of the sound bath experience There is a wonderful perfume store called Fzia. That's near my apartment. It's perfumes arranged very systematically according to type. and I really, you know, I love anything systematic and I just want to go back in and smell Every single smell, I'm gonna explore that. Yeah. For taste, you know, on my twenty one for twenty one, I had that I wanted to have a taste party, which I have not done, but I want to have a taste party inspired by my time at Flavvery University. Touch, I don't know what I want to do for touch. Anybody got any ideas for touch? Let me know. I love touch and I just can't figure out how to work that into my summer plans How about you Elizabh what are you gonna do for exploring the fiveive senses of summer? Well it's funny Gretchen, because when we started talking about this idea, I realized that all of the sense experiences I wanted were all in Kansas City. I have not been to Kansas City since december twenty nineteen, which is insane. I'm d ding to go and we actually have plane tickets. We're going for the fourth of July So I'm centering all of mine around Kansas City. So. I want to obviously see mom and dad. alsoso want to see the Kaufman gardens, which are these beautiful gardens that we often walk to with dad. Gorgeous. I want to hear the cicadas. Some people don't like the sound of cicadas. love cicadas. That is my favorite sound. It's so Kansas City. It's so Kansas City. Yes. And then smell, again, I want to smell summer in Kansas City. It's just a very particular smell of the sort of heavy air green. Yeah, it green. smells green. exactly. And I and there's nothing feels like summer to me like being in Kansas City. The hot, hot. Yeah Kansas City. Yeah. Okay, taste, I want to taste Winsteadsch. I have not had a Winstads Burger in the longest time I've gone in my life, buy a lot. So I need that Winsteads cheeseburger. And then for touch, I w to hug mom and dad. I have not seen them. You've seen them, but I have not all of this time. so I'm very, very excited to be with them. Yes. Oh, let's make That way you'll really focus on drinking in the Kansas experience Coming up, a round upp of some of our favorite listener inspired hacks for making summer easier, more fun, and more manageable. But first, this break This message comes from Harvard Business School Executive Education Now is the time to invest in yourself and change the world with your voice Our programs connect you with faculty at the forefront of their fields, introduce you to a global network of leaders, and help you step into your full potential. The next chapter is yours. Let us help you write it. Apply today to accelerate your future Learn more at hvs. me slash accelerate HBs. m slash accelerate This episode is brought to you by CareScout One thing I've noticed is that life has a way of bringing new responsibilities when we least expect them. As our kids become more independent and our parents get older, many of us find ourselves trying to balance work, family, and figuring out the best way to support the people we love That's why CareScout created the nation's first comprehensive aging care platform. Think of them as an expert partner to help your family find, fund, and plan for quality long term care through a network of rigorously vetted providers, personalized nurse led aging care plans, and guidance that helps older adults own their aging journey and live well on their own terms You don't have to carry the burden alone. Bring clarity and confidence back to your family's journey. Go to carerescout. com slash happappier today to discover a clear, bright path forward Hcout. com slash happier This episode is brought to you by Google Health. Stop chasing someone else's definition of health. What matters is what's healthy for you. Google Health offers a new kind of coach, built with Gemini for effortless tracking, sleep insights, and holistic coaching tailored to you. Visit googlestore. com to learn more and start a new relationship with your health. requires Google account, Google Health app, Internet, and Google Health Pmium subscript Features subject to change, availability and results vary, not intended for medical purposes, Wors independently of Gemini apps, cheheck responses for accuracy Okay, now this week our tryed this at home is to try these summer hacks. We have a smorgish board of summer hacks sent in by listeners. So fun. Yes. Karen says, when you're on a trip, find a bookshop and buy a book, not necessarily what about that place, although it could be, but one you want to read. Then when you're reading it after your trip and every time you see it on your bookshelf after that, it will remind you of your trip. It's amazing how often you can find bookshops all over the world with sections of books in English I just bought Killers of the Flower Moon in Bari, Italy, for example Also, finding the bookshop itself can be a fun little expedition and often you see streets in a city you might not have walked down otherwise. This reminds me of my secret of adulthood that a quest is more fun than a jaunt.. So going to look for a bookstore is like a fun thing to do in a new city Stacey says, I'm in the middle of a trip right now. We are doing a road trip with a family wedding in the middle and hiking along the way, which has meant a weird combo of clothes. We got a used cooler, some plastic plates, and some actually really nice kitchen knives with sheaths at a thrift store in our starting city Phoenix and have been picnicking along the way to save money It's also been hard for vegetarians to find decent meals in these smaller southwest towns and tourist sites Also, I brought a plain water bottle and have been adding souvenir stickers to it along the way. Ohh, I love a sticker and this is a great way you're creating a keepsake and getting to do fun things with stickers. I love that. Yes Danita says, a notebook or travel journal. It's great to jot down notes or memories to enjoy later. I recently found one from a trip I took years ago There were little details I had forgotten, but as I read my notes, I could see it in my mind and enjoy the memories all over again. Yeah, and I should mention that we've heard from listeners that they use my five sensence journal or the one sentence journal in this way. So if you're interested in that, check out those journals on my site Jenny Bell says, pack one mesh laundry bag for the entire family to share. It takes up almost no room but is invaluable As clothes get dirty, throw them in. Whether you're doing laundry on the trip or after you get home, this always saves a lot of time Very good idea. Yes. And I like keeping the dirty clothes separate. the clean clothes. It makes them feel like they're still clean. Yes, good point. Marie Clire says, less is enough, my latest mantra. I mean, easier said than done. Yes, so true. Yes. Colleen has a suggestion that we've discussed before, but because it's kind of a life in five senses hack, I can't resist including it Buy a new perfume or body spray and use it on your trip Then whenever you use it when you get home, it will evoke memories from your travels. Lvely. Karen says, I make sure all my clothes mix and match. Yes. I have taken to that philosophy when packing and that is very helpful. Yeah. Julia says, always pack your own pillowcase. It will feel like home when you sleep and that makes it easier to sleep This is sort of next level. List I've never thought to do that, but it's a good idea. It is. especially for people who have trouble sleeping away from home Anntulia has another one. I try on everything I'm packing before I leave to make sure it is still comfortable and matches. I also note what I'm wearing each day to ensure I have something for every activity. It prevents me from overpacking This is really good because I have a tendency to pack clothes that I haven't worn in a while, thinking like, oh, I haven't worn this in a while. I'll pack it so I'll make sure to wear it. But there's a reason I haven't worn it.. And then it might not work very well. So this is a good hab Barb says pack a spoon. That way you can stop into a grocery store and grab a yogurt or even a pasta salad for a quick snack Yeah, I pack a fork too, I'd find them really useful. Jess says, pack all dark colored clothes easier to wash everything in one go rather than needing to separate your lights and darks, plus dark clothes don't show stains as easily. Also, you need fewer shoes than you think. Depending on the type of trip, a pair of comfortable, smart sneakers will probably do it in every situation. It certainly would have been enough for my current trip to Japan. That's good because shoes take up so much space and they're so heavy. Yes. We have another Gretchen who says, I always pack a lightweight reusable tote bag, one that can lay flat, Athleita bag, any tote bag that I got for free As it can be used as a pool or beach bag or if I buy too much for my luggage, I can carry it on and check my bag I do this, you do this, Grech. this is one of my favorite hacks. Yeah. Also a small handheld battery operated or USB chargeable fan. Good for on planes before the Arizon hotel rooms standing in lines of airports I was once told by a flight attendant that many of them carry them for those exact reasons. Excellent. Hallie says, put names on masking tape on the outside of the passport. It sounds silly, but it iss surprisingly helpful for families or groups to know which passport is which without having to flip open to the picture page each time. I'm going do this. I have to say, I thought the passport was like a sacred document that you couldn't do that to. but I think as long as you're like on the cover, it should be fine and it is a pain to have them open.. And you never know which page the photo was on. I'm always having to remember where now where's the photo? And then what if you grabb the wrong one and you're off and you know what I mean?' this is a really good that's ex Kim said, pack your sense of humor at some stage, you will need it. Yes. Yes, I remember one of my secrets of adulthood Mishaps often make the best memories