Sympathetic Joy
“Sympathetic joy might sound noble, but what’s in it for you?
“I’m kidding, sort of—in fact, there are benefits for the person who can connect with another’s joy. Several studies show how witnessing another’s good fortune can activate the brain’s reward system. Beyond just feeling good, the ability to feel sympathetic joy has been linked to greater life satisfaction and happiness.
“More sympathetic joy might also help make us a more compassionate society. More and more studies are finding a link with sympathetic joy and our willingness to help other people—and the likelihood we’ll actually do it.”
What Is Sympathetic Joy and How Can You Feel More of It?
Science is discovering how we can be happy with other people and why that’s good for us.
Jeremy Adam Smith