Is joy good for health?
Joy is not just a mere fleeting emotion – it triggers a host of significant physiological and psychological changes that can improve our physical and mental health. And, luckily for us, there are many easy things we can do each day in order to boost the amount we feel. Joy Isn’t Just “Pleasure”—It’s Training Your Brain For instance, repeated attention to positive experiences can enhance activity in brain regions tied to value and motivation—such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and reward circuits—while modulating reactivity in the amygdala.When you feel happy or joyful, your brain releases chemicals such as endorphins and serotonin — often called the “happy hormones. These chemicals boost your mood and trigger changes in brain activity to create a sense of calm and well-being. Positive emotions also help reduce stress and improve overall health.