3 Effective Tips to Reduce Anxiety and Energize (Free!)

Your sense of smell is very much dependent on your mental health and mood. In fact, studies have shown that loss of smell is a significant risk factor for anxiety and depression1.
Moreover, your sense of smell and taste are closely related. So to reinforce the former, Rubin suggests plugging your nose when you taste certain foods. For example, as a jelly bean (or a healthier candy option of your choice): “Hold your nose, put a jelly bean in your mouth, and it just tastes sweet,” she explains. “Then if you plug your nose, you will [taste] very complex cherry, bubblegum, root beer, or any flavor.”
Your sense of smell enhances the food you eat, a concept that has become central to many who have experienced anosmia (loss of smell) due to COVID. “People are now much more aware of the incredibly important role that smell plays in our lives,” says Rubin. “It contributes to our sense of vitality and interaction with other people.”
Still, try Rubin’s exercise and notice the complex differences in the flavors of your food. A little activity can help you become more attuned to your sense of smell and, as a result, improve your mood.