In the world of online wellbeing trends, “maxxing” is a thing, says holistic psychologist Rebecca McWilliam. There is a shift from sleepmaxxing to fibremaxxing, highlighting how online discourse intertwines with strategies of self-improvement, personal control, and self-reinvention – all of which can easily be taken to unhealthy extremes or cause unnecessary overwhelm. But in a sea of information overload and the relentless pursuit of maxing ourselves out, smaller online communities are encouraging something slightly different. Say hello to slowmaxxing, which invites us to slow down and savour life’s small moments, and the quietly growing trend of joymaxxing, a practice of actively seeking out and immersing ourselves in experiences that bring us joy. Editor Trudi Brewer shares the simple wellbeing trend.
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Everywhere you look online, there seems to be a new wave of “maxxing” – from sleepmaxxing to fibremaxxing – each hoping to optimise another corner of our lives. These trends highlight how online discourse intertwines with strategies of self-improvement, personal control, and self-reinvention – all of which can easily be taken to unhealthy extremes or cause unnecessary overwhelm. But in a sea of information overload and the relentless pursuit to “max” ourselves, smaller online communities are encouraging something slightly different. Say hello to slowmaxxing, which invites us to slow down and savour life’s small moments, and the quietly growing trend of joymaxxing, a practice of actively seeking out and immersing ourselves in experiences that bring us joy.
”As a psychologist, I see the latter of these trends as a valuable reminder that taking care of our wellbeing doesn’t always have to mean doing more. It can also mean noticing and creating moments that let us fully soak in life and reconnect with our inner child. As we age, cartwheels become rare, hobbies can fade, and our days can feel like they’re racing by – perhaps what we need is a more conscious way of inviting joy into our day. Joy is a positive emotional state that often arises when we feel connected, safe, or deeply engaged in something meaningful. From a psychological perspective, it’s not just about excitement or pleasure - joy can also show up as moments of calm contentment, appreciation, or connection with others.
Experiences of joy can activate brain reward pathways and support the release of neurochemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin, which are linked to motivation, bonding, and positive mood. Joyful experiences can also help regulate the nervous system by shifting us toward a more relaxed, “rest and digest” state. Research suggests that regularly experiencing brief moments of joy (laughter, connection, or gratitude) can contribute to greater overall life satisfaction and emotional wellbeing over time. Higher levels of wellbeing are associated with benefits such as stronger relationships, greater resilience to stress, and improved physical health outcomes. Importantly, happiness isn’t about feeling positive all the time — it is about balancing emotions and having the capacity to experience meaning, connection, and positive moments alongside life’s challenges.”
How to start joymaxxing Daily?
Express gratitude regularly
Research suggests that noticing what is going well (through reflection, journaling or conversation) can strengthen positive emotional states and broaden our perspective.
Spend time in nature
Studies consistently show that natural environments can support emotional regulation, reduce stress responses and increase feelings of calm and enjoyment.
Engage the body as well as the mind
Gentle movement, stretching, dancing or walking can help regulate the nervous system and support the release of mood-enhancing neurochemicals.
Create intentional micro-moments of joy
Small rituals such as morning sunlight, music, making a favourite drink, or pausing to appreciate something beautiful can add meaningful moments of positive emotion throughout the day.
Practice mindful awareness
Mindfulness teacher Thích Nhất Hạnh often speaks about washing the dishes to wash the dishes, which is bringing full attention to everyday moments to increase appreciation and quiet mental busyness.
Cultivate loving-kindness
Meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg has shown through loving-kindness practices that intentionally generating feelings of goodwill toward ourselves and others can increase positive emotions and social connection.
Prioritise connection
Research consistently shows that close relationships are one of the strongest predictors of wellbeing. Moments of shared laughter, meaningful conversation, or simple companionship can significantly boost feelings of joy.
Find out how moments of joy can boost your wellbeing.