4 Facts Friday: Joy is Medicine

Joy is a bit like alchemy. It takes ordinary, unremarkable ingredients, moments so small you could miss them, and turns them into something rare and precious.

We’re conditioned to believe joy is something to chase, like a rare jewel waiting to be discovered in some far-off place. But in truth, joy isn’t hiding, it’s happening. All the time. Right in front of us.

I remember a morning, years ago, in a season of hustling so hard to grow our dream. I’d been working nonstop, so focused on the big picture that the little moments blurred together. It took one morning of slowing down and contemplating my life while stepping outside, tea cup in hand, when the sunlight caught the steam rising from my cup. It stopped me. Just steam, just sunlight… but in that moment, it was more than enough. A gentle whisper, reminding me that joy had been right there all along, waiting for me to notice.

Practicing joy improves digestion, skin, mood, focus… and so much more! It’s like medicine for the body and soul!

That’s the alchemy of joy. It transforms the everyday into the extraordinary. It doesn’t demand a stage or a perfect plan. It’s born in the details: the aroma of a favorite Body Balm, the way your child’s hand finds yours, the crisp snap of an apple in late summer.

We can’t force joy, but we can make space for it. We can soften our pace, open our senses, and allow it to bubble up in the middle of a messy, ordinary day. And when we do, we realize joy isn’t something to find, it’s something to welcome.

In Denmark, where the idea of hygge (coziness) thrives, joy isn’t treated as a luxury, it’s a daily practice. One of their simplest habits? Walking or biking outside every day, no matter the weather.

Spending time outdoors in natural light boosts serotonin levels, the “feel-good” brain chemical that helps regulate mood. Research shows that just 20 minutes outside can significantly improve happiness and well-being, and in one Finnish study, people who spent time in nature at least 3 times per week reported higher life satisfaction and lower stress compared to those who stayed indoors.

The Nordic secret? They don’t wait for perfect weather or a special occasion, they simply go. A brisk morning walk, a bike ride to the bakery, or even sitting on a bench with a warm drink can be enough to invite joy into the day.

I love foraging for berries in the summertime as a tradition. Even if I’m just buying them at the farmers market, slowing down to prepare and enjoy them is a small act of joy we can all savor. Try this antioxidant-rich breakfast or snack inspired by the Nordics.

Nordic Berry Bowl

Ingredients

• 1 cup coconut yogurt
  

• ½ cup mixed fresh berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or lingonberries if you can find them)
  

• 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds
  

• 1 Tbsp raw honey or pure maple syrup
  

• 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts or almonds
  

• Pinch of cinnamon (optional)

Instructions

1. Layer the base: Spoon the yogurt into a bowl.
   

2. Add the goodness: Scatter the berries on top.
   

3. Boost nutrition: Sprinkle with flaxseed or chia seeds.
   

4. Add sweetness: Drizzle with honey or maple syrup.
   

5. Finish with crunch: Top with chopped nuts and a light dusting of cinnamon.

One huge source of joy for me is sharing homemade food with friends and family. This granola recipe is packed with sunshine, joy, and whole ingredients. Package it up and share with neighbors to spread some joy today. 

Orange Ginger Pecan Granola

Ingredients

• 4 cups sprouted various grains
•  1 cup whole pecans, chopped
• 1/3 cup virgin coconut oil
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup (or raw honey)
• 2 Tbsp coconut sugar
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 Tbsp crystallized ginger, finely chopped
• 1/2 tsp dried orange peel
• 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 3/4 cup chopped dates

Instructions

1. Make in a sunny day for drying .
   

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, pecans, shredded coconut, sea salt, crystallized (or ground) ginger, and orange peel.
   

3. In a small saucepan, gently melt coconut oil with maple syrup. Stir in coconut sugar until dissolved.
   

4. Pour wet mixture over oat mixture and stir well, ensuring everything is evenly coated.
   

5. Spread granola evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
   

6. Let sit in direct sunlight for a few hours.
   

7. Remove from the sun, stir in chopped dates, flatten lightly.
   

8. Cool completely before breaking into clusters. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Have you ever thought about how joy often hides in plain sight? In the Nordics, they seem to have mastered this. Bundling up to walk through misty mornings, picking berries in summer, or lingering over a steaming mug after a brisk bike ride. It’s not about chasing the extraordinary; it’s about tending to the ordinary with care.

Maybe joy isn’t something we have to go looking for in grand adventures or perfect days. Maybe it’s already woven into the rhythm of a slow walk, the sweetness of berries on your tongue, the feeling of the sun brushing your face. It’s in the rituals that nourish us, body and soul.

Nature doesn’t question whether these moments are enough. She just offers them, freely. And I’m learning that when I slow down to accept them, I discover the joy was always here… I just needed to notice.

On this National Happiness Happens Day, I encourage you to welcome joy into life’s moments. Find those little moments that are hiding in plain sight by taking the time to notice. It really is that simple…we just forget to pause. 

You’ll notice transformation in body, beauty, and soul.