Have you ever wondered how you can add more joyful moments to your life or the lives of others? We witness numerous joyful moments between team members, residents, and their families throughout our communities — and want to share a few tips on how you can create similar experiences in your everyday life.
This blog, curated by The Bristal team, shares six ways you can add more joyful moments to your days.
What Is Joy?
People often use happiness and joy interchangeably, but the two have distinct differences. Webster defines happiness as a “state of well-being and contentment; a pleasurable or satisfying experience."
Joy is defined as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires."
Happiness is typically caused by a person or event and can be fleeting, while joy is a sustained feeling of contentment that goes deeper and is longer lasting.
Read on to discover six ways to cultivate a more joyful life.
Tips for Creating Joyful Moments
Creating joyful moments doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some simple ideas to help you get started.
- Make a list. If your goal is to cultivate a more joyful life, creating a list of the things you look forward to is a great place to start. It could be curling up with a good book or meeting a friend for coffee. Or, you might prefer spending time outdoors or enjoying a delicious meal. Once you have created your list, make sure you incorporate those activities into your schedule regularly and update your list as needed.
- Practice gratitude daily. Whether you choose to keep a journal or simply meditate on what you are thankful for, there are physical and psychological benefits to showing gratitude. Dopamine and serotonin – neurotransmitters that make us feel good – are released when we express gratitude. Regularly practicing gratitude can also help improve sleep and reduce anxiety and depression.
- Look for joyful moments. Joy can be found in big moments like milestone birthdays or anniversaries and quieter moments such as reading a book or sharing a laugh with a friend. Train yourself to be observant. Something to note – looking for joyful moments doesn’t mean ignoring painful situations or clinging to a false sense of positivity. Remember that joy is a feeling of well-being that comes from being content.
- Celebrate others’ joyful moments. One of the quickest ways to boost your feelings of joy is to celebrate someone else’s happiness. A sincere word of congratulations, a heartfelt email, or a social media post can help deepen your relationships and enhance your feelings of joy.
- Find ways to give. Generosity is also an excellent way to cultivate joy. While you can certainly give money to charitable causes, there are plenty of other ways to live generously, such as volunteering your time and talents. Find an organization or a cause you believe in and give what you can – chances are very good that you will be glad you did!
- Be kind. In addition to being generous, acts of kindness have been shown to increase feelings of happiness. From holding the door open for someone to paying someone a compliment, there are numerous opportunities to be kind throughout the day.
Find More Lifestyle Resources
The Bristal’s blog features several articles on lifestyle and wellness. You can learn the benefits of intergenerational relationships for seniors, hiking guidance for active seniors, and gardening tips.
This blog was originally published in September 2022. It was updated in November 2023.
