In 2023, a culture of joy can lead to reduced stress and anxiety for companies by leveraging the power of neuroscience. Specifically, numerous studies have established that positive emotions, such as joy increase activity in various areas of the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, which are responsible for regulating stress and anxiety levels. Additionally, another study conducted by the University of California, Irvine found that positive emotions can lead to increased activation in the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating stress and anxiety responses (Stroud et al., 2016). Therefore, in 2023, companies that cultivate a culture of joy and positive emotions can promote better overall health, reduce stress, and improve employee well-being.
One study that has found a link between positive emotions and reduced stress and anxiety is “The buffering effect of positive emotions on the relationship between stressors and symptoms of depression and anxiety” by Tugade, Fredrickson, and Barrett. This study found that positive emotions, such as joy, can buffer against the negative effects of stressors on symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Another study that supports this finding is “Positive affect and psychological well-being” by Diener, Lucas, and Oishi. This study found that people who reported higher levels of positive affect (which includes joy) had lower levels of stress and anxiety.
Additionally, a study “The role of positive emotions in positive psychology” by Fredrickson, Tugade, Waugh, and Larkin, shows that positive emotions like joy, have a broaden and build effect, which means that they broaden the range of thought-action and build resources (physical, intellectual, social, and psychological) that can be used later to cope with negative emotions, such as stress and anxiety.
