One of the more challenging, and upsetting, aspects of change is the loss of joy. This may sound ethereal, but it is a real issue for people as they age and as they contend with regular challenges to their happiness.
Life has its ups and downs, but sometimes challenging events occur all at once. When our world is turned upside down, it's normal to feel a lack of joy. Health problems, death of people close to us, other losses, breakups, housing challenges, natural disasters — the list of severe stressors and traumatic events is long.
Most adults will experience multiple severe traumas and losses throughout their lives. Loss of joy in these contexts is a natural part of the human experience.
For some people, however, the lack of joy persists or appears out of the blue. This may occur in a mood disorder like depression. The inability to feel pleasure (also known as anhedonia) is even part of the diagnostic criteria for depression, and it's common.
The Harvard Medical School has looked at the dimensions of joy and describes how to create joy for yourself even during difficult times.
What's the difference between joy and happiness?
Joy and happiness are often used interchangeably. However, happiness technically refers to the pleasurable feelings (emotions) that result from a situation, experience, or objects, whereas joy is a state of mind that can be found even in times of grief or uncertainty. Thus, we can work on cultivating joy independent of our circumstances. Winning the lottery may trigger (short-term) happiness; spending time engaging in meaningful activities may result in long-term joy.
Joy and feel-good neurotransmitters
Although the neurobiology (brain functions) of joy is complex, there are a few neurotransmitters (feel good hormones) that stand out in promoting positive feelings: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. The good news is that many changes to our lives can increase these neurotransmitter levels. For example, running may produce a "runner's high;" spending time with a baby releases oxytocin, the "cuddle hormone" that makes you feel connected.