How to Celebrate International Happiness Day
As we celebrate International Day of Happiness,
we explore some amazing scientific insights into
the health benefits of joy and dangers of depression
– just as the Bible described thousands of years ago
A Joyful Heart Really is Good Medicine
An Amazing Scientific Foreknowledge in the Bible
by Dr. Sarah Buckland-Reynolds
The International Day of Happiness has been celebrated on March 20 annually, as a global reminder that definitions for ‘human progress’ go beyond economic growth, GDP measures or material wealth into encompassing well-being in all its dimensions, including emotional wellness. This day was first established by the United Nations in 2012 and has long been the subject of numerous local and international events promoting emotional wellbeing.
While many may view the celebrations as just another holiday or promotion of psychological wellbeing services, the science of happiness (overlapping with the deeper concept of unconditional ‘joy’) has increasingly shown that the relevance of a joyful outlook goes far beyond emotional well-being into physical health.
Echoing the words of several ancient Bible Scriptures written about 3000 years ago, new scientific headlines are uncovering the depth of the proclamation that: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22), and “The will to live can sustain you when you are sick, but a broken spirit—who can bear it?” (Proverbs 18:14). In an intriguingly precise way, a spate of multiple recent articles uncovers the physiological dimensions of joy – just as the Bible stated.
Brain–bone axis dysregulation: Biological code underlying the bidirectional association between depression and musculoskeletal disorders (Li et al, Journal of Orthopaedic Translation, January 2026). These authors elaborated on the “neuroimmune–inflammatory axis” mechanism where depression has been significantly associated with inflammation leading to higher likelihoods of bone fractures, arthritis and other pathologies.
A similar observation echoing the Bible’s reference to ‘dry bones’ in the case of women with menopause was published recently:
The relationship between the severity of depression in postmenopausal women and the incidence of osteoporosis and subsequent fractures: A cross-sectional observational study. (Qiu et al, Medicine, February 2026). This team found a relationship between depression and osteoporosis in women.
As the world commemorates the International Day of Happiness this year, we explore how Biblical wisdom and contemporary research converge to show the multilayered value of joy and happiness for holistic wellbeing.
A Broken Spirit to Broken Bones?
In Proverbs 17:22, the Bible uses the phrase that “…a broken spirit dries up the bones…”. Li et al’s 2026 review poignantly explains the scientific validity of this statement in their systematic review that spanned the examination of literature on Major Depressive Disorders and orthopaedic outcomes between 1995-2025. The literature synthesis revealed the following:
“Depression-associated inflammation (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α) promotes bone resorption, cartilage degradation, and RA disease activity, while autonomic/endocrine dysregulation increases fracture risk through increased norepinephrine (NE) and cortisol. Contributing factors include oxidative stress, gut dysbiosis, and sex hormone imbalances…. Depression significantly worsens orthopedic outcomes, leading to increased fracture risk, pain and disability, reduced treatment response.”
These impacts appear not to be isolated to specific case studies or scenarios but are documented by global health agencies as an increasing global trend. As the authors further describe:
“The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Burden of Disease (GBD) assessment indicates that major depressive disorder (MDD) has consistently ranked among the top three causes of disability worldwide since 2008 and is projected to become the leading cause of disability by 2030… Epidemiological studies further reveal a significant bidirectional association between these two disease categories: MDD patients exhibit a 2.47-fold increased risk of osteoporosis (OP) (OR = 2.47, 95 % CI: 1.46–4.18)… and a 24–26 % elevated risk of fractures… Conversely, OP patients demonstrate significantly higher severity of depressive symptoms compared to healthy controls…., and the prevalence of comorbid depression is approximately 23 % among elderly patients with hip fractures…”
In a very similar finding, Qiu et al’s (2026) clinical study postmenopausal women also found “…that depression may further exacerbate bone loss and fracture risk through influences on bone metabolism, lifestyle factors, and medication adherence.” More specifically, in this trial, Qiu et al (2026) concluded for the postmenopausal cohort that:
“…depression severity showed significant inverse correlations with lumbar spine bone mineral density (odds ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.40–0.76, P < .001) and hip bone mineral density (odds ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval: 0.52–0.89, P < .005), and was positively associated with the incidence of osteoporotic fractures (odds ratio = 3.42, 95% confidence interval: 2.58–4.53, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that depression severity was independently associated with osteoporosis (odds ratio = 2.85, 95% confidence interval: 2.12–3.82, P < .001), while Cox regression analysis showed that it significantly increased fracture risk (hazard ratio = 2.90, 95% confidence interval: 2.10–4.00, P < .001).”
Combining both studies, severe depression appears to increase fracture risk by between 2.47 times to 3.42 times. In the absence of advanced medical screening tools that we have today, how did the Bible get the description of bones drying from a broken spirit so accurately?
Your Will to Live Can Sustain You When You are Sick (Proverbs 18:14)
The scientific insights for the value of a positive mindset are not limited to the impact on bones, but even forthcoming evidence to be published in June 2026 is showing the truth mentioned in Proverbs 18:14 that the will to live can sustain persons who are unwell.
A forthcoming article to be published in Tourism Management in July 2026 titled: Embracing life while confronting mortality: Therapeutic mechanisms of travel for cancer patients echoes this sentiment. The authors, Qiao, Fu and Yang show from systemic analysis in China of more positive life outcomes, including less anxiety among cancer patients who maintain a healthy self-esteem with a desire for more experiences through travel than those who did not have such desires. Those cancer patients who had this will to experience more of the world through travel amidst their illnesses, were described as experiencing “post-trip spiritual rebirth”, with these positive outcomes not documented for those who lost these desires for more life experiences.
More on the Science Behind the Scriptures
While the Scriptures hinted at direct physiological (and even mortality) impact of our mindset, evolutionary narratives published on the Evolutionary Conditions of Happiness as recently as September 2025, reduce happy and sad emotions as merely ‘motivational systems’. Recent science however shows that joy and happiness are far more than tools of survival or reactive to circumstances, but function as an intricate part of the body’s neurological system of holistic health. Conversely, the absence of happiness disrupts this system in some of the following ways, including:
- Immune Dysregulation: Li et al (2026) explained the physiological domino effect of depression on immune system alteration, leading to inflammation. Some of the specific impacts described included:
-
- Helper T cells lose protective interferon-γ, while Th17 cells increase destructive interleukin-17.
- B cells reduce osteoprotegerin (OPG), a natural brake on bone resorption.
- Macrophages polarize into inflammatory M1 cells, releasing TNF-α and IL-6 that accelerate bone breakdown.
- Neutrophils expand and generate oxidative stress, damaging bone-forming cells.
- Oxidative Stress: Depression raises reactive oxygen species (ROS), damaging both neurons and bone cells, as described in the following mechanisms:
-
- ROS suppresses osteoblasts (bone builders) and induces apoptosis.
- ROS stimulates osteoclasts (bone destroyers) through NF-κB signaling.
- A vicious cycle emerges where oxidative stress fuels bone resorption, which in turn worsens oxidative stress.
Unfortunately, the impacts of these appear to be self-perpetuating in an “oxidative stress–bone resorption cycle (Li et al, 2026)
- Hormonal Shifts: Depression increases cortisol as a stress hormone and simultaneously suppresses osteoblast activity. As Qiu et al (2026) found with the postmenopausal women, depression was associated with a decline in estrogen and testosterone, removing skeletal protection.
Amidst these impacts, Li et al (2026) cited studies showing that the treatment of depression can reverse adverse impacts on the musculoskeletal system. In their words:
“Treatment of depression through structured nursing or psychological care can alleviate depressive symptoms, reduce OA-related pain, and improve joint function, supporting routine depression screening and integrated management within OA care pathways.”
Interestingly, reducing depression and tapping into joy literally adds strength for healing– as God also told Nehemiah many centuries ago! (The joy of the Lord is your strength, Nehemiah 8:10).
Let the Joy of the LORD Be Your Witness
While many may take secular approaches to achieving a state of ‘happiness’, let us remember on this day that the state of joy beyond circumstances is a testimony to Biblical wisdom, which science continues to uncover. Medical science has seen that joy and happiness are not merely emotions, but good for bone health, and even increasing longevity.
As we reflect on the International Day of Happiness, let us also remember the words that Jesus declared:
“I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).
Christ offers enduring joy rooted in reconciliation with God. This joy sustains the spirit, strengthens the body, and equips believers to face suffering with hope. So, as we celebrate this day, let us celebrate the roadmap God gives us for an abundant life in this world and the next, where His joy sustains our strength.
Dr. Sarah Buckland-Reynolds is a Christian, Jamaican, Environmental Science researcher, and journal associate editor. She holds the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography from the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona with high commendation, and a postgraduate specialization in Geomatics at the Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia. The quality of her research activity in Environmental Science has been recognized by various awards including the 2024 Editor’s Award from the American Meteorological Society for her reviewing service in the Weather, Climate and Society Journal, the 2023 L’Oreal/UNESCO Women in Science Caribbean Award, the 2023 ICETEX International Experts Exchange Award for study in Colombia. and with her PhD research in drought management also being shortlisted in the top 10 globally for the 2023 Allianz Climate Risk Award by Munich Re Insurance, Germany. Motivated by her faith in God and zeal to positively influence society, Dr. Buckland-Reynolds is also the founder and Principal Director of Chosen to G.L.O.W. Ministries, a Jamaican charitable organization which seeks to amplify the Christian voice in the public sphere and equip more youths to know how to defend their faith.