Joy vs. Happiness

These two words have been used interchangeably but have different meanings and different results. Confusing these two words and their meanings may be leading to the exact opposite of your desired goal.

Happiness is a fleeting feeling and tends to stem from external factors, such as eating a great meal, and focuses on the self. Joy on the other hand is deeper and is sometimes cultivated by other people’s pleasure, not just your own (although you can also cultivate joy from personal accomplishments). Joy is an internal state that can be present even during difficult times while happiness is more superficial and does not last.

To give an analogy, happiness would be finding $10 on the ground, joy is taking that $10 and buying a meal for a friend or someone in need. Another example is eating a great meal can bring happiness and that feeling will pass; cooking that same meal for a group of friends brings joy, contentment and connection which will last.

Now that the differences are clear and it’s easier to spot where focusing on happiness may not be creating the joy we desire – how do we cultivate joy?

1. Build relationships – sharing a hobby or working towards a common goal creates connections that fosters joy. Catching up with a friend, volunteering or sharing in a spiritual community are also great ways to cultivate joy.
2. Develop a gratitude practice – Taking note of what brings you contentment and joy can help tide you through those seasons of life when things aren’t going so well, and that’s the difference between happiness and joy. Being able to find contentment in times of struggle rather than focusing on external, temporary happiness creates peace.  
3. Laugh! – finding something funny and laughing out loud reduces stress hormones, strengthens immunity, decreases inflammation and can even lower cholesterol. Laughing among friends can also reinforces bonds that foster joy.
4. Limit social media – It has been proven that listlessly scrolling and playing the comparison game with other people’s highlight reels can increase loneliness and depression. Noticing how you feel after doing this may be a good sign that your social media use is not bringing joy. On the other hand, if social media is being used to connect and maintain social connections then it can actually foster joy. So it’s no necessarily social media itself but how it’s being used that needs to be taken into consideration

Being intentional about noticing the difference between joy and happiness and cultivating the former can bring peace and contentment. The lasting effects of joy and lead to a healthier life both physically and mentally. Notice when you are at peace and develop a practice to recreate and sprinkle these small pleasures throughout your day.