Small town joy: Why Eureka Springs is designed to make you smile

Introduction: The infinite pursuit of happiness

Ahhhhhhh, the infinite pursuit of happiness. We all find ourselves at one time or another in the midst of this pursuit — and yet, what does it really mean? What is happiness? Why pursue it?

Happiness is said to be something measured over time. It’s a broad evaluation of how we feel about how our lives are going. Since March 2020, lives have been uprooted, and many more have embarked on this pursuit.

Happiness includes many different factors:

• How do we feel about our work? Does it give us meaning and purpose?
• How do we feel about our health, our relationships, our children?

Happiness can also sometimes feel a little vague. You can go through periods where you’re indecisive: Am I happy? Why are some things good and others not so good?

As human beings, we’re always processing all of that in order to come up with this overall determination of whether or not we’re “happy.”

Joy vs. happiness: The simplicity of joy

Joy, on the other hand, is much simpler and more immediate.

Psychologists define joy as an intense, momentary experience of positive emotion. It can be measured through direct physical expression — smiling, laughter, or wanting to jump up and down. We get that feeling when something gives us a spark of joy, like a delicious ice cream cone on a hot summer day.

Often, we have to work to find or bring joy into our lives. But fundamentally, it’s far easier to create more moments of joy — and design joy into our lives — than it is to go about “finding happiness,” especially in times like these.

Happiness is bigger and more complex. Joy is about remembering what gives us joy and leaning into those things more and more often.

Here in our little town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, joy is abundant. And as if by magic, it’s designed into our everyday environment.

Surroundings matter: The role of environment in joy

For many years, the discipline of psychology focused on what’s happening inside of us, rather than how our surroundings influence our emotions.

But in this day and age, it doesn’t take a psychologist to tell us that there’s a profound connection between the physical world around us and the emotional world within us.

We often just know.

For example, studies show that people working in more vibrant, colorful offices are more joyful — and therefore more productive, creative, and satisfied. Makes sense, right?

Do you want to work here?

Or here?

I know that for me, my eyes are drawn immediately to the green chairs and the floor-to-ceiling windows. The natural light and that view certainly have a positive impact. In fact, employees in joyful work environments are seen to be more focused, alert, confident, and friendly.

So that said... do you want to reside here?

Or here?

In Eureka Springs, our surroundings elicit an abundance of joy. And from there, we make emotional choices. It’s been this way since the very beginning, when thousands flocked here for the healing waters in and around our town. Visitors came to Basin Spring to bask in an intense, momentary experience of positive emotion.

Three aesthetics of joy in Eureka Springs

Eureka Springs has many attributes that make it a joyful place, but let’s dive into three that especially reflect how our surroundings spark joy.

Color and brightness

We often think about color in terms of hue — red vs. blue vs. yellow. But it’s not the hue that matters most; it’s how pure the color is. The brighter the color, the more pigment it contains, and the more strongly it’s associated with joy.

Hues that are dark or dim generally correlate with sadness — these associations are nearly universal.

Curves and round shapes

A fascinating study showed that when researchers placed people in fMRI machines and showed them angular objects, the amygdala (the part of the brain associated with unconscious fear and anxiety) lit up.

When they showed those same participants round objects, the amygdala stayed silent.

Conclusion: There is something in our brains that associates curves with ease and playfulness. Hmmmm…

On the road to Eureka Springs

Why yes — Eureka Springs does have more than its fair share of curves. Many curves. Curvy curves. Curves that curve around other curves.

This fact draws hundreds of thousands of bikers from all across the globe to visit the Ozarks and experience the famous Pig Trail for something aptly known as JOY RIDES.

Joyful curves in design

In Eureka Springs, curvy shapes are everywhere. Hotel rooms designed as hobbit caves have curved entrances and windows, all crafted in nature. These rooms are uniquely joyful spots for visitors to stay.

Click here to learn more and book your stay at Eureka Springs Treehouses.

• Round entrances to your hotel room
• The joyful threshold of Grotto Spring
• Grotto Spring, after much rain

Nesting in nature: Colorful doors and cozy stays

One simple, powerful way to boost joy: paint your front door a bright color. It’s the first thing you see when you come home and the last thing you see when you leave. It also puts joy out into the neighborhood and changes how your home engages with the world.

Eureka Springs has many creative "nest" options for guests and locals alike. The color at Cliff Cottage Inn on Armstrong Street is currently getting a full gingerbread color palette upgrade — sure to attract more business and certainly more joy.

Check out this joyful video featuring many unique front doors welcoming visitors to Eureka Springs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZsR14waw7I

Wearing more color does the same thing. Bright clothing tends to elicit smiles from others, and that creates a virtuous, joyful circle.

And nature? Nature’s colorful extravaganza happens here every autumn. It’s spectacular — and one of the busiest times to visit Eureka Springs.

The locals: Designing joy through community

When we share little moments of joy with others, it signals that we’ll be there for them — not just when things are good, but when times are tough.

In March 2020, things changed for the world.

Here in Eureka Springs, the same locals who usually come together for events, parades, festivals, theater, music, dinners, and fundraisers also organized support, aid, and outreach during the pandemic — all locally driven and locally sponsored.

Eureka’s residents are caring and proactive. They participate with intention — making joyful moments not just for themselves, but for one another and for our hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.

Coming together like this influences our well-being. Experiencing little moments of joy regularly reduces stress. Doing so more often can have a profound impact on your outlook. Eurekans know this.

The science of joy and stress recovery

Did you know that when we undergo something stressful, experiencing a moment of joy shortly afterward can actually speed up physical and mental recovery?

This supports my theory that Eureka Springs — infused with natural, joyful qualities — is the perfect place to reside in isolation during difficult times.

When we express joy, we attract others. And that makes us feel more connected to the world around us.

In many towns, people hold themselves back from joy to “fit in.”

In Eureka Springs, if you’re not living your joy, you’re not fitting in.

Final thoughts: The takeaway

Eureka’s unique, diverse, small-town approach encourages everyone to live their joy — whatever that means to them. That’s what makes this place so special.

So in short, today’s message is simple:

Happiness is something we measure over time. Joy is about feeling good in the moment.

Get out there and pursue small, simple moments of small-town joy more often. Find ways to get outside and experience the little surprises Eureka Springs has to offer — even in times like these.

Stay aware. Follow the safety protocols (6 ft, masks, wash hands).

But don’t forget: there’s always another moment of joy waiting for you around every colorful curve in Eureka Springs — and there’s probably a friendly local nearby, ready to make that moment even better than expected.