#Joy

A recent international study spearheaded by The Big Joy Project has revealed that performing small, science-backed acts of joy for just five to ten minutes a day can significantly improve happiness, well-being, and even physical health. Drawing on data from over 17,000 participants spanning 169 countries, researchers found that these so-called “micro acts” or “joy snacks” deliver measurable benefits—offering a powerful, time-efficient tool to enhance everyday life.

For many in Thailand and around the world, demanding schedules and the pressures of modern life leave little room for self-care. Yet, the latest findings suggest that happiness may be far more accessible than previously thought. The Big Joy Project, part of the Mission: JOY initiative inspired by the friendship and teachings of the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, set out to test whether small, practical acts could uplift mood and reduce stress across various populations, not just in ideal laboratory settings but out in the “messy” real world (AOL News).

Simple daily activities—such as admiring a blooming flower, sharing a laugh with a friend, or even doing a quick act of kindness—can significantly improve emotional well-being and help people feel more in control of their happiness, according to a groundbreaking study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The findings, derived from an expansive multi-year project, suggest that micro-moments of joy may offer a surprisingly effective recipe for boosting mood and resilience, with particular promise for those facing social or financial difficulties.

A new wave of research and personal testimony is drawing urgent attention to “high-functioning depression” — a form of depressive illness where sufferers maintain outward productivity while battling hidden internal distress. Unlike classic depression, which is often marked by withdrawal or inability to function, high-functioning depression stays masked beneath impressive academic, professional, or social achievement. The latest findings and expert recommendations, popularized in new media and books, reveal both the signs to watch for and actionable steps to escape this insidious cycle. This emerging understanding is vital for Thai society, where high performance and social harmony are deeply valued, increasing the risk that invisible suffering goes undetected.

Depression isn’t always cloaked in tears, lethargy, and withdrawal. Increasing research and expert voices reveal that many silently suffer while appearing energetic, high-achieving, and outwardly successful—a phenomenon now widely called “high-functioning depression”. Recent insights from psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph, as highlighted in a widely-shared Mindbodygreen article, have sparked new conversations about how this overlooked mental health challenge is affecting high-achievers globally, including in Thailand, where stoicism and productivity are highly valued traits.