Every day when you wake up, you have the opportunity to choose how and what you think, how you feel and ultimately what you create. You can choose which path you take. Do you usually form your feelings based on the outside world? It's bad weather, rainy and cold, when you look out the window in the morning, how do you feel? Then you turn on the radio or TV and the program continues; only negative chatter and fear-based information. Now, do you decide how your day will be? Then a friend calls and tells you a rather sad story from the office or from her relationship. In the meantime, you have drowned in the garbage of the outside world. You have only absorbed energy from outside. You feel slightly anxious, full of lack and generally negative.

Path that most people choose
This is the path that 97% of all people choose. It is a path without conscious understanding, and rather a path of autopilot. If you go down this path for a long time, it can look something like this: Eating negative energy to start your morning can lead to negative feelings like fear, anger and shame. Fear expresses itself in the body as stress. If your body and cells eat stress on a daily basis, it can lead to a state of malaise or illness. Imbalances can be depression, hysteria or anger. If your body stays in a state of malaise for even longer, you are heading for total disintegration. You are disconnected from everything and everyone. Choosing the wrong thoughts and creating bad feelings for a long time can become really harmful to us humans.

When joy is there
You know that feeling when your heart suddenly beats faster, your eyes light up and a warm smile appears on your face? It is these small or big moments in which we are completely at peace with ourselves, full of lightness and happiness. But why do we often not take the time to pursue these moments - to follow our joy? Life is often hectic. Between work, family, friendships and the small and big challenges of everyday life, there is often little room for ourselves. As women in particular, we often tend to want to please everyone - except ourselves. But this is exactly where the key lies: If you allow yourself to listen to what really makes you happy, not only your own life changes, but also that of those around you.

Joy is our inner compass
Our joy is more than just a nice feeling - it is a signpost. It shows us what is really important to us and what gives us energy. It helps us make decisions that bring us closer to our authentic self. For example, if you feel how much dancing, painting or a good conversation with a friend is good for you, then that is a sign: there should be more of that in life.

Why we often hesitate
Perhaps you are familiar with thoughts like: "I don't have time for that", "That's not important" or "I should take care of others first." Such inner voices prevent us from engaging in joy. But the truth is: when you take care of yourself, you not only gain energy, but you also radiate it. You will notice that you can give more to others when you are fulfilled yourself.

Joy for health
Living joy not only has an immediate effect on energy, frequency and mood, but also has a positive long-term effect on physical and mental health. It helps to cope better with everyday life, reduce stress and lead a fulfilling, healthy life. It is therefore worth consciously creating and enjoying moments of joy.

Studies show that people who regularly experience joy and cultivate optimism have a higher life expectancy. Positive emotions promote resilience and help the body recover more quickly from stress. People who feel joy tend to make healthier choices for themselves, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet and sufficient sleep. Joy promotes social interactions and relationships, which in turn can have positive effects on health. People with strong social connections often have better physical and mental health.

Joy activates reward centers in the brain and releases neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which provide well-being and motivation. This supports cognitive functions such as concentration, decision-making and memory. Joy helps lower blood pressure and heart rate. It improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Laughter, an expression of joy, increases the oxygen supply and improves the function of blood vessels.

Positive feelings such as joy strengthen the immune system by stimulating the production of antibodies and defense cells. This makes the body more resistant to infections and diseases. Joy and positive emotions reduce the production of stress hormones such as cortisol. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system and lead to diseases such as heart problems or gastrointestinal disorders. Experiencing joy relaxes the body and reduces stress levels.

The magic of small steps
The beautiful thing about joy is that it doesn't require grand gestures. Even a walk in nature, a few pages in your favorite book or a lovingly prepared coffee can be small islands of joy. It's not about completely changing your life overnight, but about creating conscious moments of lightness in everyday life.

Joy strengthens your self-confidence
If you follow joy, you get to know yourself better. You will recognize what is really important and you will work harder to achieve it every day. You will discover how good it feels to listen to your inner voice - and that radiates outwards. Joy makes you strong, confident and beautiful.

An invitation
I invite you to take a moment for yourself every day to feel what really makes you happy. Be curious and open to the little things that put a smile on your face. And remember: your own joy is not a luxury - it is your own source of strength and creation.

Lots of Love

Catrin

Picture: kolby-milton-xpwRVmBcEK8-unsplash