Part 7: Designing Environments for Joy: Spaces that Soothe and Inspire

Welcome to The Everyday Science of Joy, a 13-part series for educators and caregivers brought to you by the ESSDACK Resilience Team and inspired by the work of Ingrid Fetell Lee around The Science of Joy. We’re diving into what brain science tells us about joy: why it matters, how it shapes our nervous systems, and how we can design classrooms, homes, and communities that help people truly thrive.

Each post, we’ll explore one joyful concept and connect it to practical, brain-based strategies you can use right away. Think of this series as a little dose of inspiration and science, wrapped up with curiosity, compassion, and maybe even a laugh or two because joy is serious business (and seriously good for us)!

Our environments are silent teachers. They tell our nervous systems whether to relax or brace.

Many modern schools and offices were designed for efficiency, not emotion. Harsh lighting, straight lines, and gray tones can unconsciously signal “alert.” But when we bring in color, texture, warmth, and playfulness, we remind our brains that it’s okay to connect.

Joyful design doesn’t mean clutter or chaos. It means sensory balance. At ESSDACK Learning Centers, we know that every calm space, soft light, or poster of hope can invite learners back into safety and readiness.

✨ Joy Practice Challenge: Choose one environment you influence—a classroom, office, or home corner. Add one joyful design cue that helps the brain rest and reset.