One of the best things about children is watching the joy they exuberate. Kids find joy in the small things, like popping a giant bubble, running around or playing tag.
By definition, joy is a feeling of great delight or satisfaction. Some other words synonymous with joy include excitement, glee, bliss and appreciation. Joy is a powerful emotion — an amazing feeling that can bring an uncontrollable smile to your face. It can create calmness and happiness, and it can bring you into the present moment.
The busyness of adulthood can lead us to forget to take time for moments of joy. We can even lose sight of the things that brought us joy in the past.
Joy is a vital part of self-care. Taking time to experience the emotion is important for your mental and physical health. Research shows experiencing joy boosts our immune systems, fights stress and pain and improves our chances of living longer.
While finding time for joy can be hard, the benefits are overwhelming. Regardless of your professional, familial and other commitments, remember to prioritize joy. When you do, you will show up as your best self at work, with your family and beyond.
Not sure where to start? Take time to reflect on what brings you joy with this exercise:
Take a piece of paper, and turn it horizontally. Make columns for each decade of your life (for example, 0-9, 10-19, 20-29 and so on). After you create your columns, think back on the joys you remember most from each decade. Make sure your reflections are specific. Instead of writing “college,” write what you enjoyed about college, such as the relationships you created or the experience of learning new things.
What things in your columns evoked the most emotion? How can you implement those things into your life today?
Perhaps in your early twenties you backpacked through Europe. Of course, if you have a full-time job and kids, that likely isn’t in the cards right now. But think of what you enjoyed about that experience. If joy came from experiencing new places and people, you could take a weekend road trip to explore somewhere you’ve never been, or you could explore a new place close by.
If your childhood brought joy because of the time you spent outdoors, make time to explore local trails or do other outdoor activities. Regardless, remember this is about you. Don’t choose things you think should bring you joy because they bring others joy. Choose things you enjoy.
Finding joy can be hard — but living life without joy is harder. Choose joy!
By: Lauren Scotti