Joy …. and Glimmers

We come to therapy to address the more challenging aspects of our worlds and as we heal, we also get to experience the full range of emotions and this includes Joy.
 
So why not start to explore Joy to strengthen your emotional range top down, rather than bottom up. 
 
Joy is feeling great pleasure or happiness and even though it is often short term, Joy opens room for our body’s natural opiates to surge through us (dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline and endorphins….. ahhh 😊 )
 
So what can do to access Joy… it can be as simple as a funny movie or a laugh with friends.  My two most recent memorable joy moments were sitting in a playpen full of 6 week old puppies and riding on the back of a motorbike under the country stars.
 
So think about what brings you pleasure… or what used to bring you pleasure before the world got bigger and go back to those feelings and re-explore.  Lounge room dancing or catching a fish can be a good start.
 
For more insights into Joy consider The Imperfects- Dr Emily- Joy Decision
https://omny.fm/shows/the-imperfects/dr-emily-joy-decision
 
Or if this feels a bit too much, just start with a Glimmer…. A glimmer is a tiny micro moment of Joy and you can access these each and every day.
 
The smell of a flower, the sun on your face, the cuddle of a child….. everything can have a glimmer, just be open to it.
 
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/crazy-for-life/202309/how-to-grow-glimmers-and-feel-less-anxious