Why you need joy

What is joy? It is an emotion that comes from the inside and out. It can be confused with pleasure but this feeling comes from outside sources such as receiving a present or going to a spa. Joy is a feeling that starts from the inside. A sense of calmness, an energy boosting, bubbly sensation or tingling stomach feelings. It can be something small that simply brings a smile to your face or something bigger that brings light to your body and soul. What it may be is different for all of us.

When you experience joy, signals goes up to your brain and triggers endorphin release, which relaxes your body. Joy helps to support your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Life can be tough, and we all have our own struggles. Bringing more happiness into your days is the key to keeping your head held high! It brings light to darkness.

If you feel like you have the knowledge to live healthier lifestyle but are constantly falling off the ‘health wagon’, maybe the happiness factor is missing. When things feel hard and there is little that awakes happy feelings, then your motivation goes out the window. What’s the point of eating healthy and moving your body, when the days feel generally dull?

Ask yourself the following questions:

What brings a smile to my face and brightens me up from the inside?

What brings peace and gratitude to my life?

How often do I feel joyful?

The best thing with joy is that it’s a conscious decision. You are in control of bringing more joy and happiness to your life. There is no right or wrong answer, you hold the answer on how to nourish yourself in this area. It’s about personal empowerment. Thriving in this area of life will make other areas seem easier. Here is a task that will help you to boost your day and help you stay on track with your healthy life!

Task: Write a list of all things that bring joy and happiness to your life.

To give you some examples, here are some points from my list:

• Cooking & Baking
• Spending time with my family
• Catching up with friends
• Self-care
• Sitting by the ocean
• Dancing around to my favourite music
• Outdoor running
• Nourishing my plants
• Visit a new place
• Exploring a new restaurant or coffee shop
• Being outdoors in nature
• Reading a good book with a cup of tea
• Reflecting on things I’m grateful for in life
• Watching live music

There are endless things to write up! If you are having troubles completing a list, then start with a joy journal. Every time you feel joyful, write it down in your notes on your phone or keep a journal that you fill out every night before bed.

Second task: Implement it!

ISimply being aware of when you are feeling joyful, will naturally bring more of it into your life. If there are larger things, such as a trip, then schedule it in. Plan ahead and make it happen! You are worth feeling more happiness and it’s your duty to nourish your body and soul with bright light.

If you need guidance on how to thrive in this area, remember I am always here for you. Together we can boost up all areas of your life and make your health journey much easier. The key is to figure out what area that needs a boost and the rest will fall into place. Living a healthy life should not be filled with guilt, shame and feeling of being lost or alone. If you get the foundation right, the journey will be more like a joy ride!