Pockets of Joy - The science and spirit of connection

By : Rupa Singh | Communications Coordinator at VACV

In April, we heard from Dr. Lauren Whitehurst, a cognitive neuroscientist, about the powerful effects of joy on the brain. One of the most reliable ways to experience joy, she explained, is by being in community with others. Backed by science, Dr. Whitehurst described how oxytocin—often called the “bonding hormone”—is released during social interactions. These connections strengthen our trust, reduce feelings of isolation, and create lasting joy.

Oxytocin also suppresses cortisol, the “stress hormone” released in response to pressure or danger. So in this time of turmoil, sustaining joy isn’t just a luxury—it’s a vital way to fortify ourselves as we resist authoritarianism and build resilient communities.

Sustained, oxytocin-releasing joy doesn’t come from fleeting distractions. It comes from closeness, generosity, and consciousness—the kind of joy that stays with us.

Some examples of true joy include:

Physical affection
Spending time with loved ones
Acts of kindness
Practicing mindfulness

These moments can be found in small, everyday “pockets” of our lives. We don’t need long, uninterrupted stretches of time to feel joy. In fact, we can experience it again and again through meaningful connection.

Below are some pockets of joy shared by our staff—each one rooted in connection to earth, culture, nature, family, and the simple act of giving generously of ourselves:

Flo – Morning meditations, walks with my dogs, and—more than anything—interactions with my five-year-old daughter and ten-year-old son.

Justin – Pine forests.

A beautiful pine forest at Dorsey park that I discovered a few weeks back!

Rupa – Every time I open a bag of Keya chips, I smell two of my identities colliding into a beautiful chip. Overjoyed for a brown desi woman killing it.

Virginia – Spending time with my parents and sister.

Ramiel – A gentle breeze in nature on a hot day and sharing fresh fruit with my friends and family.

A picture I took in El Salvador by a waterfall. It was pretty hot, and the cool water and breeze was nice to take in after a hectic morning of errands in San Salvador.

My mom and I sharing a fruit called capulín in El Salvador - it's common there and was my first time trying it. My mom told me that she used to eat these on her way to school as a kid. :) As much as I already appreciate the country, trying new fruits brings me a child-like joy for El Salvador.

Lea – Starting seeds in the greenhouse, giving to them in hopes they germinate and grow.

Shakirah– Baking things from scratch, letting my family be the taste testers, and watching their faces light up with joy.

In contrast, false joy comes from conditional, often isolating experiences. It’s the kind of joy that’s easily depleted because it requires nothing of us and gives little in return.

Some examples of false joy include:

Instant gratification
Surface-level conversations
Joy that depends on external circumstances

False joy often shows up as consumption—seeking relief through things that make us feel better in the moment, but leave us with higher cortisol and a deeper sense of emptiness.

In these uncertain times, lasting joy—joy rooted in generosity, connection, and presence—is what will carry us through.

What is your pocket of joy?

VACVApril 24, 2025