When was the last time you planned something simply because it would make you smile?

So many women spend the summer making memories for everyone else while quietly putting their own joy on hold. But what if creating just one thing to look forward to could actually lower your stress and help you experience more peace?

In this first episode of the Summer Soul Glow Up series, Bonnie shares a personal story about discovering how making room for joy changed the emotional atmosphere she created for her family. As she prepares for ankle surgery this summer, Bonnie reflects on how choosing delight—even in a difficult season—has become a sacred act of soul care.

Through Scripture and the science of anticipatory joy, you'll discover why looking forward to something meaningful can renew hope, calm your nervous system, and remind you that your joy matters to God.

If you've been putting yourself last, feeling emotionally drained, or wondering how to find joy in the middle of a difficult season, this episode will encourage you to make room for delight again, one small moment at a time.

Key Takeaways

— Why planning something joyful can lower stress and increase hope

— The science of anticipatory joy and how dopamine supports emotional wellness

— Why your emotional presence becomes someone else's emotional memory

— How making room for your own joy blesses the people you love

— A simple soul care practice to help you create your own Summer Glow List

— Why God delights when you delight in the gifts He's given you

Breath Prayer

Inhale: Delight yourself in the Lord...

Exhale: And He will give you the desires of your heart.

Scripture

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." — Psalm 37:4

Key Takeaways

— Why our minds naturally focus on worst-case scenarios
— The difference between fear's what-ifs and faith's perspective
— How Jesus comforts us in seasons of uncertainty
— What to notice to calm an anxious heart
— The science of negativity bias and emotional wellness
— A simple soul care practice to help you move from fear to faith

Breath Prayer

Inhale: This is the way
Exhale: Walk in it

Scripture

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" Isaiah 30:21

→ Join Bonnie on Instagram @thebonniegray

→  Free Devotional Gift

 Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/
Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.

Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:

Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/

→  Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store

  Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

  Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd

When was the last time you planned something simply because it would make you smile? So many women spend the summer making memories for everyone else while quietly putting their own joy on hold. But what if creating just one thing to look forward to could actually lower your stress and help you experience more peace? In this first episode of the Summer Soul Glow Up series, Bonnie shares a personal story about discovering how making room for joy changed the emotional atmosphere she created for her family. As she prepares for ankle surgery this summer, Bonnie reflects on how choosing delight&mdash;even in a difficult season&mdash;has become a sacred act of soul care. Through Scripture and the science of anticipatory joy, you'll discover why looking forward to something meaningful can renew hope, calm your nervous system, and remind you that your joy matters to God. If you've been putting yourself last, feeling emotionally drained, or wondering how to find joy in the middle of a difficult season, this episode will encourage you to make room for delight again, one small moment at a time. Key Takeaways &mdash; Why planning something joyful can lower stress and increase hope &mdash; The science of anticipatory joy and how dopamine supports emotional wellness &mdash; Why your emotional presence becomes someone else's emotional memory &mdash; How making room for your own joy blesses the people you love &mdash; A simple soul care practice to help you create your own Summer Glow List &mdash; Why God delights when you delight in the gifts He's given you Breath Prayer Inhale: Delight yourself in the Lord... Exhale: And He will give you the desires of your heart. Scripture "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." &mdash; Psalm 37:4
Key Takeaways
&mdash; Why our minds naturally focus on worst-case scenarios &mdash; The difference between fear's what-ifs and faith's perspective &mdash; How Jesus comforts us in seasons of uncertainty &mdash; What to notice to calm an anxious heart &mdash; The science of negativity bias and emotional wellness &mdash; A simple soul care practice to help you move from fear to faith
Breath Prayer
Inhale: This is the way Exhale: Walk in it
Scripture
"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"&nbsp;Isaiah 30:21 &rarr; Join Bonnie on Instagram&nbsp;<a>@thebonniegray</a>
&rarr;&nbsp;&nbsp;Free Devotional Gift
&nbsp;Download your free devotional: Bonnie&rsquo;s FREE &ldquo;Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.&rdquo; <a href="https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1782690306136000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3RRw8kWmHUKpCe1iRIM_Tj">https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/ </a>Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus: Create&nbsp;Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1782690306136000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1LGxQLBqKQ4v6Pmm1NTvhb">https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/</a>
&rarr;&nbsp; Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/488VVBI" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/488VVBI&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1782690306136000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2pNQT9D2ZjYYnI3GzAEQJj">Bonnie's Soul Care Store</a>
&nbsp;&nbsp;Watch YouTube Devotionals: <a href="https://youtube.com/thebonniegray" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtube.com/thebonniegray&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1782690306136000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1FBFp_rUZSyjq6QEHhA4wx">https://youtube.com/thebonniegray</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;Bestselling Books by Bonnie: <a href="https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1782690306136000&amp;usg=AOvVaw14OH45updnJDpPPquv4JtB">https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd</a>

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.

Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 

🌸 Feeling Anxious? Cast Your Cares on God Because He Cares For You
🌸 3 Ways to Break Free from Stress, Worry & Anxiety
🌸 How to Say No to Fear & Yes to God PLUS What's the Difference Between Secular & Biblical Meditation?
🌸 Is It Burnout Or Is God Stretching You? 4 Signs to Know the Difference PLUS 4 Mental Health Benefits of Stories
🌸 3 Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking, Improve Your Mood During the Day, & Get the Sleep Your Body Needs
🌸 The Antidote to Stress & Fatigue + The Surprising Causes – Plus Raising Stress-Resilient Kids

FOLLOW BONNIE:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebonniegray
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebonniegray
Her site: http://www.thebonniegray.com

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.
Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 
🌸 Feeling Anxious? Cast Your Cares on God Because He Cares For You 🌸 3 Ways to Break Free from Stress, Worry &amp; Anxiety 🌸 How to Say No to Fear &amp; Yes to God PLUS What's the Difference Between Secular &amp; Biblical Meditation? 🌸 Is It Burnout Or Is God Stretching You? 4 Signs to Know the Difference PLUS 4 Mental Health Benefits of Stories 🌸 3 Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking, Improve Your Mood During the Day, &amp; Get the Sleep Your Body Needs 🌸 The Antidote to Stress &amp; Fatigue + The Surprising Causes – Plus Raising Stress-Resilient Kids
FOLLOW BONNIE: Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/thebonniegray">https://instagram.com/thebonniegray</a> Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/thebonniegray">https://facebook.com/thebonniegray</a> Her site: <a href="http://www.thebonniegray.com/">http://www.thebonniegray.com</a>

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less,...

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.

Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 
Ways to Eliminate Anxiety & Cast Your Cares on God 
Tips to Break Free from Stress, Worry & Anxiety
Recommendations on How to Say No to Fear & Yes to God
Ways to Raise Stress-Resilient Kids
Mental Health Benefits of Stories of Stories & Activities 
Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking
Tips to Improve Your Mood During the Day & Get the Sleep Your Body Needs
The Difference Between Secular & Biblical Meditation
The Difference Between Burnout & God Stretching You
The Antidote to Stress & Fatigue + The Surprising Causes 

FOLLOW BONNIE:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebonniegray
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebonniegray
Her site: http://www.thebonniegray.com 

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.
Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 
<ul>
<li>Ways to Eliminate Anxiety &amp; Cast Your Cares on God </li>
<li>Tips to Break Free from Stress, Worry &amp; Anxiety</li>
<li>Recommendations on How to Say No to Fear &amp; Yes to God</li>
<li>Ways to Raise Stress-Resilient Kids</li>
<li>Mental Health Benefits of Stories of Stories &amp; Activities </li>
<li>Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking</li>
<li>Tips to Improve Your Mood During the Day &amp; Get the Sleep Your Body Needs</li>
<li>The Difference Between Secular &amp; Biblical Meditation</li>
<li>The Difference Between Burnout &amp; God Stretching You</li>
<li>The Antidote to Stress &amp; Fatigue + The Surprising Causes </li>
</ul>
FOLLOW BONNIE: Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/thebonniegray">https://instagram.com/thebonniegray</a> Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/thebonniegray">https://facebook.com/thebonniegray</a> Her site: <a href="http://www.thebonniegray.com/">http://www.thebonniegray.com </a>

Let This Be the Summer You Glow Again: The Science of Joy #220

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/7d13c9e5-309b-4081-b519-b47601878ddd/transcript