AIR DATE AUGUST 18, 2022
Title: Cultivating Joy
In this episode, Emily embarks on a quest to discover the secrets of happiness and emotional wellness.
Guests and Locations
Discover Wellness, Licensed Mental Health Counselor – Catherine Tugg
Commit to Wellness, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Yoga Instructor – Jennifer Torres
Cultivating Joy Begins When You Learn How to Care for Yourself
When researchers ask people in different countries about their happiness, the United States ranks relatively far down on the list. In the 2020 report, we were 18th. Our neighbors to the north in Canada ranked 11th, while all the Nordic countries made it into the top ten.
“A lot of times when people say what they want in life is to be happy, that’s great, but the problem with happiness is that it’s fleeting,” Catherine Tugg told me recently. She’s a licensed mental health counselor who works to treat emotional trauma, especially in our local LGBTQIA+ community.
Joy is different than happiness. “Joy is something that’s more internal-based. It’s not just based on what happens in your environment… it’s a feeling that is long-term, so it’s a little bit more sustainable.”
Cultivating Joy Can Be as Simple as Talking About It
“I think setting an intention to feel joyful is a way to wake up in the morning and maybe meditate, or just say your affirmations, like ‘I want to feel joyful today,” said Jennifer Torres, who also works as a licensed mental health therapist. “Without that, I don’t think you’ll probably feel joyful.”
Tugg and Torres agree that happiness and joy start from a place where people decide to experience these emotions. Part of that process includes taking the time to care for yourself.
“Self-care, doing things that you like, exercise, and allowing yourself to kind of surrender to the moment and really just be in whatever you’re doing – that’s called the flow state,” said Torres. “I feel joyful when I ride my bike with my AirPods, listening to good music while the wind is blowing in my face.”
We Must Address the Negative Emotions to Experience Consistent Happiness
Tugg says that the most challenging part for people is to cope with negative emotions when they appear. She says that people know they have these feelings and don’t like them but are unsure what to do with them.
“That’s where a counselor can come in handy,” she said. “We have a lot of education and expertise to help people figure out what is causing those negative emotions and help people see their blind spots.”
Although anything can theoretically cause negative emotions, one of the biggest triggers is comparing yourself with others. When we can avoid excessive time on social media, worrying, complaining, scrolling, and avoiding the present, there is less time to overthink the day’s circumstances.
“Emotions are communicators,” said Torres. “If you’re feeling anxious, it’s probably communicating that maybe something is not in alignment with your belief system.”
By prioritizing joy and happiness, finding a place where you can feel these positive emotions is much easier. Once you can get into the habit of taking care of yourself and doing things you love, the negative experiences start making themselves known less often.
That process differs for everyone, but Tugg and Torres told me that personal decisions unlock joy’s full potential. If you decide to look for it, you’ll be more likely to find happiness.
