Hi everyone, it's Jess here (Mel's Admin) and when Mel and I spoke recently she asked me about where I find my purpose. One of the things I spoke about was finding joy and playfulness in everyday situations. So I thought I'd share a bit more about why joy is so important on a journey to wellness and some of the science behind it.
Joy is basically high-performance fuel for your brain. When we experience joy, our brain becomes a chemist, whipping up a lil happy cocktail of neurotransmitters:
- Dopamine: The reward chemical that keeps us motivated.
- Serotonin: The mood stabiliser that helps us feel significant and calm.
- Oxytocin: The "cuddle hormone" that strengthens our social bonds.
- Endorphins: The natural painkillers that reduce stress and boost pleasure.
WHY YOUR BODY LOVES JOY
- Heart Health: Joyful moments can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
- Immune Boost: High levels of positive emotions are linked to a stronger immune response.
- Brain Plasticity: Joy helps the brain build new neural pathways, making you more creative and better at problem-solving.
- Cortisol Flush: It actively lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), telling your nervous system it’s safe to relax.
Now, if you're experiencing chronic illness or anxiety it can feel really hard to find joy. Think of it as a muscle that needs to build up really slowly. Even if it's just something for 1 minute a day, it's important to really feel and notice the joy you feel (like watching a funny cat video or having a nice warm shower).
So here's some ideas for you on inviting more joy into your life today (yes, even if it feels impossible):
- Keep a happy journal and each night write down any small moments in your day you felt joy (even if it's a tiny amount - it's important to appreciate those if you're struggling to find it at all).
- You might have seen the term "glimmers" across the internet - start hunting glimmers (which are tiny sparks of joy) like the smell of fresh coffee, a cozy jumper, or a green light when you're in a hurry.
- Look for moments of "awe" like enjoying a sunset, a piece of art, or even a slow-motion video of nature. Awe expands our perspective and triggers an instant sense of well-being.
- Smile & laugh (even if you're fake smiling it still triggers the same response in your brain as a real smile) - call a friend you can giggle with, try laughter yoga (a personal fave of mine!) or watch some funny videos. Your brain will thank you for the oxytocin boost!
Hoping this inspires you to seek out some glimmers/joy in your day!
