The feeling of joy is not just about happiness; in many cases, it acts as a “life hack” to build lifelong resilience. While nearly 5% of adults in the United States define themselves as dissatisfied with their lives, changing their personal perspective may help overcome this feeling. This is called “Joyspan” or the development of joy, according to Verywell Mind.

The term “Joyspan” refers to creating joy, especially as one ages. Instead of joy being a fleeting moment, it is essential to learn that it is a continuous journey that requires daily attention.

This modern view of happiness is gaining popularity in response to a crisis of dissatisfaction. Millions not only feel unhappy in their lives, but psychological burnout has become more common than ever, causing extreme fatigue, pessimism, and a general sense of inefficiency—all characteristics of burnout. Therefore, developing joy is a remedy for these negative feelings, positively impacting both mental and physical health.

Maintaining your happiness requires continuous effort. Strategies include:

– Celebrating every success, no matter how small. After a moment of joy, write down all the details of the happiness you felt to enjoy positive feelings and note how to achieve more happiness in your life.

– By consistently caring for your nervous system, you won’t worry about losing balance when things don’t go your way. Instead, you can expect to feel more resilience and the ability to hold on to your joy, which can be done through breathing exercises.

– Emotional residues are nostalgic snapshots from the past that remind you of your joy. For example, use a specific perfume when attending a happy occasion; every time you wear it, you will recall the memories of that night. Or listen to certain songs during your vacation.

Feeling happy in the second half of life is not just about experiencing joy but is a tool to build resilience. Positive emotions like joy help you develop resources for a better life.