Drawing on insights from neuroscience and psychology, she explains why one setting makes us feel anxious or competitive, while another fosters acceptance and delight – and, most importantly, she reveals how we can harness the power of our surroundings to live fuller, healthier, and truly joyful lives.

In Joyful, designer Ingrid Fetell Lee explores how the seemingly mundane spaces and objects we interact with every day have surprising and powerful effects on our mood. But what if the natural vibrancy of our surroundings is actually our most renewable and easily accessible source of joy? Increasingly, experts urge us to find balance and calm by looking inward – through mindfulness or meditation – and muting the outside world. We are often made to feel that the physical world has little or no impact on our inner joy. Have you ever wondered why we stop to watch the orange glow that arrives before sunset, or why we flock to see cherry blossoms bloom in spring? Is there a reason that people – regardless of gender, age, culture, or ethnicity – are mesmerized by baby animals, and can't help but smile when they see a burst of confetti or a cluster of colorful balloons. Ingrid Fetell Lee Designer, author Lee author of Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness is an expert on the way design affects health and happiness. Drawing on cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology, she explains why one setting makes us feel anxious or competitive, while another fosters acceptance and sharing-and, most importantly, she reveals how we can harness the power of our surroundings to live fuller, healthier, and truly joyful lives.Designer and TED star Ingrid Fetell Lee explains how to cultivate a happier, healthier life by making small changes to your surroundings. In Joyful, renowned designer Ingrid Fetell Lee explores how the mundane spaces and objects we interact with every day have surprising and powerful effects on our mood. But what if the natural vibrancy of our surroundings is actually our most renewable and easily accessible joy? Increasingly, experts urge us to find balance and calm by looking inward-through mindfulness or meditation-and muting the outside world.

We are often taught that our external environment has little or no impact on our inner joy. Have you ever wondered why we stop to watch the orange glow that arrives before sunset, or why we flock to see cherry blossoms bloom in spring? Is there a reason that people-regardless of gender, age, culture, or ethnicity-are mesmerized by infants, and can't help but smile when they see a burst of confetti or a cluster of colorful balloons? A groundbreaking look at how small changes to our surroundings can lead us to happier, healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Joyful by ingrid fetell lee