Simple everyday habits to help you find joy and beat stress, according to an expert

Simple everyday habits to help you find joy and beat stress, according to an expert A positive psychologist has shared her top tips for closing the 'joy gap' — with research showing 29% of adults can't remember the last time they felt genuine happiness An expert has unveiled her top tips for finding happiness in life's 'little things', after a survey revealed that more than half of adults say money worries and work-related stress have pushed fun to the sidelines. From paying someone a compliment to throwing some shapes on the dance floor, positive psychologist Lowri Walsh has shared her advice on how to inject small bursts of happiness into hectic daily routines — requiring just a few extra minutes each day. Taking time out to savour delicious yet wholesome food is another simple way to remind yourself that joy can often be found in the most ordinary moments. Embracing the motto 'dance like no one is watching' is one of Walsh's 'joy missions', with the expert explaining how movement can break the cycle of survival mode that many of us fall into, helping to ease tension and reconnect with a more carefree version of ourselves. The recommendations were put together with Arla LactoFREE, following a social experiment that examined how adults react when given the chance to choose joy over routine, restraint, or practicality — exposing just how readily many people settle for compromise. Walsh created the series of missions — grounded in positive psychology and the science of emotional wellbeing — to bridge the 'joy gap' and pull people out of autopilot. The 'gap' refers to the distance between the joy we are capable of feeling and the joy we actually experience. It follows research of 2,000 adults which found that work-related stress, financial worries and family commitments mean 29% cannot recall the last time they felt genuine joy. A further 34% admitted they regularly compromise on the things that make them happy. Lowri Walsh said: "Many of us live in permanent 'survival mode' as we try to manage the constant stresses of modern living. In this state, we tend to prioritise productivity, efficiency and coping, while viewing joy as childish, indulgent or unnecessary. "The good news is being joyful is not a fixed trait, it's a daily practice we can all access when we know how. "Through a few simple 'missions', people can feel uplifted, lighter and reconnect with what makes them genuinely happy." The study also uncovered the top reasons adults sacrifice their happiness, including not having enough sleep (35%) and their mental health (30%). Meanwhile, 27% wish they could be more childlike in their decision making, choosing something 'fun' 'just because'. Yet 31% find it difficult to put their own happiness first. Nevertheless, the OnePoll.com data highlighted the things people flatly refuse to give up, including their morning cuppa, slipping into comfortable clothing the moment the day is done, and a well-earned Saturday morning lie-in. Other popular ways to spark joy included listening to music (50%), spending quality time with loved ones (46%) and going for a walk or run (41%). Stuart Ibberson at Arla LactoFREE said: "As we get older, joy can start to feel like something we have to earn rather than something we can make space for every day. "Work, family life and money worries all add up, and it's often the small things that get pushed aside first, but joy doesn't have to mean doing something big or extravagant. "It can come from everyday habits that help you feel more like yourself again - whether that's connecting with a colleague or friend during a workday, taking a few minutes to enjoy something delicious, or simply saying yes to something that lifts your mood. LOWRI WALSH’S TOP TIPS TO CLOSE THE ‘JOY GAP’: MIND Give someone a compliment: Telling someone that you like their coat or that they have a nice smile can create a brief, but powerful experience of shared emotion that boosts connection and lifts your mood. BODY Dance it out: Movement can help us feel lighter by bringing us back into our bodies – and dancing is a great way to do this. Interrupt the survival mode we often find ourselves in, loosen tension and reconnect with a more instinctive, unfiltered version of yourself. TUMMY Eat something nourishing: This can break the cycle of stress and bring a sense of comfort. Choose something that offers both taste and nutritional goodness to carve out a small but meaningful moment to reset.