What sparks joy and inspires you? Is it taking a deep breath in a forest, laughing with friends, or dancing to your favorite music? When we consider how to prepare for climate change, we often focus on physical infrastructure, like flood-resistant buildings or emergency shelters, but overlook the mental health impacts of climate change.
By taking time to recognize joyful experiences in our lives, we can gain a more balanced perspective and avoid getting sucked into doomsday scenarios. There is now an online map that provides a brief description and location of joyful experiences on and around campus. Inspired by Food Systems New England’s Mapping Joy in the Food System project, our University of Michigan joy map will provide proof of positivity and promote future joyful experiences. We recognize the importance of reflecting on joy, especially during uncertain times. To learn more, please visit: https://pba.umich.edu/finding-resilience-rooted-in-joy/