More Happier: Design Your Summer & Why a Teammate's Touch Can Change an Outcome
More Happier: Design Your Summer & Why a Teammate's Touch Can Change an Outcome  
Podcast: Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Published On: Sat Jul 11 2026
Description: Practical ways to build more play into your summer and the surprising research on how physical touch improves athletic performance. Design Your Summer check-in: How Gretchen and Liz are spending their summers: reading lists, doodling-sketching, and no worry! [08:25] Spotlight on a Tool:Daily Recess: Adults need unstructured play too. How to figure out what kind of recess actually works for you [18:45] The Science of Touch: Research shows that in basketball, physical touch from teammates reduces stress and boosts performance [19:46] Mentioned in This Episode: Daily Recess guide with prompts and ideas  Download the Happier app to track your Design Your Summer reading list  Physical touch improves free-throw performance  Tactile communication and NBA performance  Josh Hart moment, Game Four  Connect with Us: Email: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Website: gretchenrubin.com Instagram: @gretchenrubin | @lizcraft Take Gretchen's free Four Tendencies quiz → gretchenrubin.com/quiz Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or rate us on Spotify—it helps other listeners find the show! Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices