TODAY

When psychologists recently tested three well-known techniques believed to boost mood, one really stood out.

It helps change people’s emotions by helping them feel “among” others, rather than apart from them, said Douglas Gentile, a psychology professor at Iowa State University. When students tried it for just 12 minutes, they reported lower anxiety, greater happiness, more empathy and higher feelings of caring and connectedness.

It’s even endorsed by “Silicon Valley's Zen master,” who says it’s the best thing he can do to immediately improve his mood. Follow the link to see what this healthy practice is and how you can incorporate it into your life.

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Even when we know people’s names, why do we go for days without using them? By using someone’s name, you help them feel seen and acknowledged — and that’s an act of kindness. According to kindness.org’s research in collaboration with the University of Oxford, doing a kind act increases happiness, well-being, trust and compassion. And it can have the same powerful effect on those who receive the act. Try it, and put a smile on both your faces.

There are new snacks on grocery aisles every day! David Zinczenko, founder of Eat This, Not That!, stopped by TODAY to share the hottest and healthiest new eats to replace your boring snacks. From healthier candy (yes, really), beans as snacks and overnight oats in a portable bar, the following picks are spins on classic foods you love (and probably already have in your pantry). We promise you're going to love them just as much — and so will your body.