Joy is not just a feel-good emotion. It’s a biological upgrade.
If you've ever finished an ENJOYout grinning ear to ear or laughed so hard your abs hurt, you’ve felt it—joy in motion. But what if I told you that joy isn’t just the cherry on top of a good day—it’s the actual secret sauce to better physical health?
Yep, science says joy isn’t optional. It’s vital. Here’s why:
1. Joy Reduces Inflammation
Chronic stress = chronic inflammation. Joy? It does the opposite. Research shows that positive emotions are associated with lower levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) Fredrickson et al., 2013.
2. Joy Strengthens Immunity
Feeling joyful might actually make you more resistant to colds and viruses. A study from Carnegie Mellon found that people with a positive emotional style were less likely to catch a cold when exposed to a virus Cohen et al., 2003. Hello, natural immunity booster!
3. Joy Improves Heart Health
Laughter is legit cardio. A 2007 study found that higher levels of positive affect were linked to lower heart rates and blood pressure responses during stress Steptoe et al., 2007. That little moment of bliss after a walk or ENJOYout? Your heart says thank you.
4. Joy Promotes Longevity
Not only does joy make life feel longer—it actually helps it last longer. The Nun Study (Danner, Snowdon & Friesen, 2001) revealed that joyful nuns lived significantly longer than their less expressive counterparts. Same habits, different outlook.
So if you’ve been pushing joy to the back burner, thinking it’s a luxury—think again. Joy is the medicine cabinet you didn’t know you had. And it pairs beautifully with protein powder and a power walk.
Ready to make joy part of your health strategy? Come join the ENJOY Community and let's sprinkle that joy like glitter—on purpose, every day.