Tiny Joys- Finding Meaning, Connection, and Joy in Everyday Life with Sally Olsen

Running Miles with Heart Disease CHDEpisode: Tiny Joys – Finding More Joy, Less Stress, and Balance in Everyday Life with Sally Olsen What if happiness isn't something we need to chase, but something we can find in the little moments throughout our day? In this episode, I sit down with Sally Olsen, author of Tiny Joys: 101 Science-Backed Practices for More Joy, Less Stress, and Happier, Healthier Days. Originally from Denmark, Sally shares her personal journey through burnout, chronic stress, insomnia, and recovery, and how those experiences inspired her to explore the science behind everyday happiness and well-being. We discuss why so many of us fall into the trap of thinking, "I'll be happy when..." and how constantly chasing the next milestone can cause us to miss the joy in the journey. Sally introduces us to seven categories of tiny joys, exploring how simple activities involving nature, movement, creativity, relationships, gratitude, and our senses can help us reconnect with the present moment. We also explore how these ideas apply to endurance athletes, particularly those dealing with injuries, setbacks, burnout, or the mental challenges of ultrarunning. Whether you're training for your next race or navigating difficult circumstances in everyday life, finding joy in the small things can make a difference. In This Episode, We Discuss: Sally's personal experience with burnout, stress, and insomnia. The science behind joy, happiness, and our nervous system. Why we get caught up in the "I'll be happy when" mindset. The seven categories of tiny joys. How walking, breathing, nature, and creativity can help us slow down. Finding joy outside of running and athletic goals. Managing mental burnout and navigating injuries. The difference between resilience and simply pushing through suffering. Gratitude, acceptance, self-forgiveness, and finding hope during difficult times. Practical ways to incorporate more joy into everyday life. About Our Guest – Sally Olsen Sally Olsen is a Danish author and freelance journalist with an interest in neuroscience, positive psychology, healthy aging, and the science of well-being. Her experiences with stress and burnout inspired her debut book, Tiny Joys, which brings together 101 science-backed practices designed to help readers experience more joy and less stress. Connect with Sally and Find Her Book: 📖 Tiny Joys – Official Website: https://tinyjoysbooks.com/ 📚 Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HH464JD9 📱 Kindle Unlimited: https://tinyjoysbooks.com/amazon 📺 YouTube – Book Trailers and Videos: https://www.youtube.com/@TinyJoysBooks/shorts ▶️ YouTube – Tiny Joys Books: https://www.youtube.com/@TinyJoysBooks/videos 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sally.olsen.author/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15418468.Sally_Olsen  A Little Something to Take Away You don't have to wait until you cross the finish line, reach your next goal, or get everything in life figured out to experience happiness. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the smallest ones. As Sally's book reminds us: Don't chase happiness. Collect moments. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing the podcast with someone who might benefit from the conversation. Thank you for listening to Running Miles with Heart Disease CHD!