Embrace Small Moments for a Happier, Longer Life

WHO:

NBC News Health - Kelly McGonigal, psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University, is the author of "Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking."

WHAT:

NBC News Health - McGonigal discusses the importance of harnessing joy in everyday life.

NBC News - McGonigal states that joy is a powerful and complex emotion that can be experienced even amidst stress and sadness.

NBC News - McGonigal emphasizes that joy is life-sustaining and critical to overall wellbeing, linked to extended lifespan.

NBC News - McGonigal suggests tracking moments of joy to recognize their significance.

WHERE:

NBC News Health - The discussion takes place on the 3rd Hour of TODAY.

WHY:

NBC News - McGonigal explains that recognizing moments of joy increases one's sense that life has value and meaning.

NBC News - She notes that moments of joy foster a greater sense of belonging and connection to others, fulfilling two of the greatest human needs.

HOW:

NBC News - McGonigal recommends looking for joy in the wild by joining others who are celebrating.

NBC News - She encourages individuals to take a photo or make a note of something that brings them joy each day to acknowledge its significance.

NBC News - McGonigal advises tracking joy not as a strict measurement but as a way to retrain attention toward positive experiences.

(UPDATED October 14, 2026 16:04 UTC)

Psychologist Kelly McGonigal, a lecturer at Stanford University and author of "Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking," recently discussed the importance of harnessing joy in our everyday lives during an appearance on the 3rd Hour of TODAY. She emphasized that joy is a powerful emotion that can coexist with stress and sadness, and recognizing these moments can enhance our sense of life's value and foster connections with others. McGonigal recommends tracking daily moments of joy, not as a strict measurement, but as a way to retrain our attention toward positive experiences and celebrate the significance of joy.