The Aging Project Your JOY-SPAN with Dr. Kerry Burnight
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Jul 31, 2025 Dr. Kerry Burnight, known as America's Gerontologist and author of Joyspan, shares insights on how to cultivate joy at any age. She discusses the difference between joy and happiness, and why it’s crucial in midlife. Dr. Burnight offers ways to raise your 'joy baseline' through simple daily habits and emphasizes the importance of connection and personal growth. She tackles the emotional roadblocks like fear and loneliness, and highlights the transformative power of vulnerability and kindness in enriching our lives.
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Joy Is Inner Contentment
- Joy differs from happiness because it is not dependent on external circumstances and comes from within.
- It resembles contentment and can be cultivated internally despite life's challenges.
Betty's Midlife Joy Reboot
- Kerry's mother Betty did not always have a great attitude but recaptured joy in midlife.
- She performed a joy span inventory, an intentional self-check to improve her joy level.
Four Steps to Cultivate Joy
- Cultivate joy by focusing on four actions: grow, connect, adapt, and give.
- These manageable steps help build joy span and enrich life at any age.