The Science of Black Joy: Why Celebration, Connection and Culture Matter for Your Health
Discover four easy, powerful ways you can find joy starting today
Key Takeaways
- Black joy may help counter the effects of chronic stress on mind and body.
- Experts say joy can strengthen resilience, relationships and healthy coping skills.
- Finding your people, getting creative and spending time in nature can spark more joy.
If someone asked you what makes a person healthy, your mind would likely jump to getting adequate nutrition, staying physically active and taking care of your mental health. And you may think of joy as something separate, an emotion that’s nice to experience from time to time simply because it feels good. But experts and research suggest that moments of joy, particularly for Black people, are an important part of overall health. So this Juneteenth, as we celebrate the freedom of formerly enslaved Black Americans, we’re also honoring the healing power of Black joy.
What is joy?
Words used to describe positive emotional states like happiness, excitement or joy are often looped into the same category, meaning there’s often not a clear definition of what joy means in particular. Krista Norris, LMFT, founder of Conscious Connection Therapy, offers insight.
“As a clinician I see joy as a powerful form of vitality and internal liveliness,” says Norris. “From both a clinical and personal perspective I see joy as a feeling of being deeply connected to yourself where it’s not solely about things going well all the time, but more about finding meaning that is long lasting. True joy is not conditional, while happiness can be.”
Woman's World Answers
“When someone has a true [and] felt sense of joy, it does not matter what challenges may be happening in the moment,” she adds. “It is about the internal presence and connection they have within themselves during those moments.”
Black joy, in particular, has become a form of resistance and resilience in the face of systemic racism, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture. It’s about celebrating the joy of Black community, culture and history.
How does joy support health?
So now that we understand what makes joy unique, let’s take a look at how moments of joy can support our health. Rosalyn Miller, DO, ob-gyn at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital says joy can:
- Help fight chronic stress
- Improve emotional resilience
- Lead to stronger interpersonal connections
- Support better sleep and healthier coping strategies.
The importance of Black joy
From a health perspective, moments of joy can benefit everyone, but it’s particularly important for Black women’s health.
“As Black women, we often navigate the complexities of discrimination, sexism, dismissiveness, caregiving roles and a multitude of layered experiences,” says Norris. “This often causes us to internalize the societal expectations of being strong and self-sacrificing. As a result of this, joy is not only important. It is vital. Joy now becomes a form of physiological and psychological protection.”
Dr. Miller adds that clinicians see the impact of chronic stress in women’s health, especially for Black women. “Black women have higher rates of obstetric complications such as pre-term births and preeclampsia, higher incidence of cardiovascular and metabolic disease and many researchers believe chronic stress plays a role in these conditions and more. Joy creates opportunities for healing.”
4 ways to practice Black joy
While Juneteenth is the perfect day to prioritize Black joy, with our expert-approved tips, you can make Black joy a part of your daily life.
Find your people
When it comes to social connection, it’s not about having the most friends or loved ones. It’s about having ones that meaningfully add to the life you’re building.
“Many of the most fulfilling aspects of our lives occur within the framework of relationships with others,” says Louis Lerebours, MD, board-certified family physician and addiction medicine specialist. “Joy typically builds on top of the joy we experience as we share moments and memories with others; whether it be celebrating successes, sharing laughter, providing mutual support when things become challenging or just being able to feel like you are being heard.”
In fact, a study published in SAGE Open found that Black women with supportive social connections had lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress.
Get creative
Norris says that having an outlet for creative expression, in whatever way best aligns with you, is vital. “Engaging in activities like cooking, art, music or writing can help to process our emotions indirectly,” she says. “It can give our psyche a channel [for] expression rather than emotional stagnation.”
Spend time in nature
Norris encourages taking time to spend in nature without having a particular task or goal. “Try walking barefoot on the grass,” she says. “Watch the wind blow the trees or the birds singing. Nature can be a therapeutic experience that lowers cortisol levels and gives the body a reset. It reduces the feeling of emotional overload.”
Make time for solitude
While spending time with others is great for joy, so is taking the time to reconnect with just you. “Try meditative practices where your time is protected and uninterrupted,” says Norris. “This helps to draw attention inward and allow reconnection to yourself rather than external responsibilities or pressures.”
The bottom line on Black joy and health
If you’ve finally perfected your exercise routine and found your go-to healthy meals, but can’t remember the last time you experienced joy, there’s no time like the present to make a change.
“I want Black women to know that joy needs to be felt every day,” says Dr. Miller. “Do not wait until life becomes less stressful to make room for joy. For many women, that is something out of our control. The goal is to create small repeatable conditions where rest and recovery can occur.”
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