Fact Sheet:
The Power of Choosing Joy
Joy is one of our most powerful emotions. It can improve our physical and mental well-being, and has even been found to combat stress and burnout. When we intentionally carve out time for small moments of joy, we’re better able to keep our challenges in perspective and stay resilient.
Here are some facts about joy, and how it can help improve our well-being and resilience.
The origins of the word “joy” date back to the 13th century, coming from the Old French word joie, meaning pleasure, delight, bliss.
JMU Scholarly Commons Joy can lower our anxiety, decrease stress, promote heart health and even lessen pain.
Mental Health AmericaTaking a moment for something that brings us joy, like listening to a song we love or looking at a photo that makes us smile, can help increase our longevity.
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public HealthStudies have shown that feeling a sense of joy and happiness at work made employees 12% more productive.
Warwick UniversityCarving out time for movement during the day has been shown to increase levels of joy.
National Library of Medicine When our brains are in a positive state, we’re 31% more productive than when we’re negative or stressed.
“The Happiness Advantage,” by Shawn AnchorCreating moments of joy in our relationships can strengthen our connections with our loved ones.
Harvard Study of Adult DevelopmentRegularly taking time to practice gratitude can alter our brains, allowing us to live with more joy and less stress.
Greater Good Science CenterAlongside gratitude and awe, joy is part of a "family tree" of emotions that allow us to shift our perspective beyond ourselves during challenging times.
National Library of Medicine