A Ban on Joy

The psyche shields us from traumatic news and cuts off everything that used to bring pleasure along with it. Why the body still needs good emotions in wartime.

A lot of people right now have an inner ban on joy.

It is what happens when you see other people’s pain and suffering and start telling yourself that enjoying life during a war is wrong.

Our psyche, which shields us from tragic and traumatic news, cuts off along with it everything that used to bring us pleasure and give life at least some flavour.

People comfort themselves with the thought that someone else has it even worse. And that is true. But the body needs good emotions the same way a flower needs sunlight and water.

If we don’t allow ourselves to feel joy and take pleasure in life, the body will start compensating with pleasure from food (hello obesity), scrolling social media (hello digital addiction), pornography (goodbye normal sex in marriage), cigarettes (goodbye health) and other “crutches”.

Our body needs dopamine, and the way we get it will determine the kind of life we end up living.

I am not urging anyone to hide from reality and pretend there is no war in our country. I believe we should keep donating and keep our army supplied with everything it needs, so that we don’t end up supporting someone else’s army later. And we should certainly help every person we can genuinely be of service to.

It is just that alongside all this, it matters that we don’t forget about ourselves and that we allow ourselves the things that bring us joy and fill our life with meaning and pleasure. To get through dark periods, we need an inner resource. And it will be far better if, instead of alcohol and other “crutches”, we draw on it in a healthy, sustainable way.

So putting the things you love into your calendar is an excellent idea. Even during a war.

Do you agree that many people right now have a ban on joy? Do you allow yourself to feel good emotions?