Are little treats feeling less exciting? Here’s how to harness small joys

<p>Joy is crucial for resilience, but living in a stressed-out world can make it difficult to enjoy the little things. Experts tell us how to rebuild our capacity for joy</p><p>Americans <a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/655493/new-low-satisfied-personal-life.aspx">say they’re more dissatisfied</a> with life than ever before.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/article/2024/aug/17/im-like-a-steamrollered-cartoon-character-totally-flat-the-agony-aunt-who-couldnt-feel-anything-at-all">Anhedonia</a>, a loss of enjoyment in usually pleasurable things, and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/ng-interactive/2025/may/22/hypernormalization-dysfunction-status-quo">hypernormalization</a>, the experience of daily life amid disconcerting societal change, can lower one’s wellbeing. Even “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/oct/16/we-live-in-a-treat-culture-and-gen-z-is-splurging-on-snacks">little treats</a>” – accessible delights like a walk, a piece of cake, a streaming binge – can stop feeling good in this context.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2025/oct/07/how-to-enjoy-little-treats-small-joys">Continue reading...</a>