Last Sunday, I spent the day with my dad. As he got into my car, Tom Petty came on my Spotify. My kids call my music depressing, but melancholy music fills my soul. I felt an urge to blast the volume far louder than I knew he could tolerate, pull back the roof of my Jeep (even though it was a bit chilly that day) and we sped down to the beach. At first he called me crazy, but then zipped up his jacket and just laughed. And you know what? At that moment, I felt SO MUCH JOY. So much so that I still feel it now as I write this.
We often think of joy as a fleeting emotion or a reward reserved for a particularly exceptional moment. But I want to challenge that notion. The truth is that joy is readily available to us in the everyday and in the mundane. Especially in the mundane. I find joy in driving with the top down, in deep conversations, good books, long runs, snuggles with my kids and being in nature.
We need joy right now. Not only because it feels good, and we deserve to feel good. But because feeling and expressing joy is an act of advocacy for ourselves and for others. It builds resilience to challenging times and circumstances and it supports our health and wellbeing mind, body, and soul. Small acts of joy are powerful.
On this week’s podcast, I explore joy as a source of strength and an act of defiance. I share practical tips for cultivating joy, no matter your circumstances. I share how we might even feel guilty to feel joy or engage in activities that give us joy especially in times when we know others are suffering. But by choosing joy, you’re standing up for your right to feel good, you build your ability to feel optimism and you give permission to others to feel it as well.
Joy acts as an emotional buffer. People who experience more moments of joy tend to recover more quickly from setbacks. It’s not about avoiding pain or pretending everything is okay—it’s about creating a reservoir of positive emotions that sustain you during difficult periods.
I also explore the relationship between joy and health. When we experience joy, our body undergoes a cascade of positive changes that directly support our health. Joy triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins—chemicals that promote feelings of happiness and wellbeing. These natural “feel-good” chemicals don’t just improve mood; they have a direct impact on bodily functions by reducing our frightened sympathetic state, reducing cortisol levels, enhancing our immunity, improving our cognitive capacity and our cardiovascular health to the degree that it can actually reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease!
Finally, joy is contagious! This happens in a very concrete way when we smile, for example, mirror neurons in our brain want to mirror back and we are prompted to smile and laugh alongside the other.
Joy is inherently social—it draws us closer to others and strengthens our relationships. Think about how much closer you feel to someone after sharing a joyful experience, whether it’s a laugh, a heartfelt conversation, or a shared moment of awe. These connections provide emotional support, which is critical during difficult times.
In essence, joy is both preventive and restorative. And supports us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
So I challenge you to make a commitment. Tap into the health benefits of joy and make it a daily practice. Joy doesn’t have to be a grand gesture—it can be as simple as:
– Taking a moment to savor your morning coffee.
– Laughing with a friend over the phone.
– Watching the sunset and feeling gratitude for its beauty.
Each small moment of joy adds up, creating a ripple effect that supports your health and wellbeing and the health and wellbeing of those around you.
I bet you know someone who could use this message right now, so take a moment to send this to a friend, a coworker or family member and spread the joy!
Wishing you a joyful week, mind body and soul!
