Joy as an Antidote to Burnout

It’s a powerful, contagious emotion — and we need it more than ever.

Joy is one of our most powerful emotions. And it’s an effective antidote to burnout. 

The origins of the word “joy” date back to the 13th century, coming from the Old French word joie, meaning pleasure, delight, bliss.

And joy doesn’t just make us feel good, it can lower anxiety, decrease stress hormones, promote heart health and even lessen pain.

Though we can of course find joy in solitude, there is also a fundamental social aspect to it. As Harvard Medical School psychiatrist Dr. George Vaillant put it, “joy is all about our connection to others.” and more important than our genes, or money or fame, are close relationships built on joy. Here’s another great thing about joy — it’s contagious. 

Gratitude is another powerful way to bring more joy into our lives and sharing your gratitude list with friends can amplify its power.

So allowing ourselves to experience and embrace the full range of our emotions is what makes the feeling of joy so special.

The past two years have been a crucible time of sorrow and loss. And our future is going to continue to be defined by uncertainty and disruption. That’s why we need to seek out the power of joy more than ever. 

So find whatever it is that gives you joy, or create moments that delight you, just do it and light the spark.