Joy triggers: happiness on demand

• Endocannabinoids are self-produced cannabis and were recently discovered.
• Research shows that humans and dogs have higher levels of endocannabinoids after running, making it a possible explanation for the runner's high.

There are two ways to define your joy triggers — retroactively or in the moment:

• Retroactively: Sit down and remember all the times you felt happy, comfortable, or excited, and write them down. However, research suggests we tend to forget small things easily, so this method may not capture all of your joy triggers.
• In the moment: Be mindful of moments that bring you joy and record them (via journal or voice notes over phone) as they happen. This method can be more effective since we more easily remember what's happening now.

• Collect joy triggers: Create a dedicated note called “joy triggers” on your phone and add to it every time you feel good. You will end up with a list of small sources of joy in your life.
• Keep your list accessible: Ideally, your joy triggers should be simple activities that you could easily repeat any time you need to quickly improve your mood. E.g., drinking a cup of nice tea, listening to a specific song, looking at memes, going for a quick run, photos of past trips, play with your pet(s), call a close friend, dance!

Use your joy triggers to boost your mood:  Feeling down, stressed, or anxious?

Instead of ignoring these feelings, try these simple tips to find joy:

• Stop what you're doing
• Choose one activity from a list
• Focus on being present and mindful

Remember, this won't solve all your problems, but it can help you get through the day! 

• So, start building your own collection of joy triggers, and make a habit of turning to them whenever you need a quick pick-me-up.
• And consider sharing these little moments with others – by doing so, you’ll not only enhance your own well-being but also inspire those around you to find more joy in their daily lives.