The Joy Diet

The Joy Diet is not about what to eat, how to eat, where to eat or how much to eat. As a matter of fact, it is a diet in name only. It is a diet for the soul and the inner self; a diet that is meant to add some joie de vivre, or joy of living, into the lives of those who follow it. It is a diet of 10 simple, life-enhancing behaviors for joyful living.

Background

The Joy Diet was conceived by Martha Beck, a professional life coach, writer and regular columnist for Oprah's "O" magazine. Beck holds several degrees, including a Master's and Ph.D. from Harvard University, with an emphasis on sociology and East Asian studies. She has written numerous books and magazine articles. She refers to her followers as The Tribe, and invites all to join her in a quest for a happier existence.

Significance

Most people already have an exercise routine and an eating plan, but lack a concrete plan for happiness, according to BNET. Martha Beck's Joy Diet offers just such a plan. The word "diet" originally meant "a way of living" and did not refer to an eating program, according to Beck in a CNN article. Dr. Beck encourages all to feast on life every day. She suggests adding several simple behaviors that are designed to lift the spirit and add joy to life. Beck suggests that following her Joy Diet can help turn ordinary occurrences into celebrations.

The Menu

There are 10 behaviors in the Joy Diet constructed to change thinking and enhance life. The behaviors can be adopted slowly or all at once in a crash diet plan, according to "O" magazine. The first behavior is to Do Nothing for 15 minutes every day and just be. Then, create a moment of Truth to deal with any emotional pain. The next step is to identify a heart's Desire and explore it and then employing some Creativity to figure out six ways of attaining it. This is followed by taking a Risk; taking one baby-step towards reaching a goal. Having a Treat, or better yet two treats, for every risk taken is the Joy Diet's built-in reward program. In following the Joy Diet, time must be made to Play away from work and other stresses, which is an automatic lead-in to the next step of finding something to Laugh about at least 30 times a day. According to Beck, the final two steps are to make a Connection with someone that matters and to Feast three times a day, with or without food. The Joy Diet does contain two small rules regarding food: eating only food that is enjoyed and eating it should be enjoyable.

Benefits

The greatest benefit of following the the Joy Diet is to achieve the gift of joyful living, according to "O" magazine.

Warnings

Taking risks and making changes can be a scary ordeal for some, but Beck and countless others who follow the Joy Diet believe the benefits are well worth it.