What if the things that make Disney magical are the same things proven to boost our physical and mental health—AND actually help us avoid the biggest regrets people have on their deathbeds?

Today’s Tuesday Tea Time was inspired by this therapist who recommends Disneyland as a mental health strategy. 🎉

If you’ve been around me for a while, you know I love Disneyland. Part of the magic is what psychologists call temporal escape—stepping away from daily stresses like bills, deadlines, and dishes, and into a (physical or mental) space that feels light and carefree.

And you’re probably here because you know I geek out on the science of happiness and mental wellbeing. I love learning the research behind what helps us flourish and thrive, and then turning that research into fun, practical tools to share with you.

So when I read that Harvard researchers found the #1 key to living a longer, happier life is having supportive, nurturing relationships…

…then combined it with Bronnie Ware’s findings for the Top 5 Regrets of the Dying—where people wish they’d allowed themselves more happiness, stayed in touch with friends, and lived true to themselves—it all connected.

Disney is one lens, but the science applies everywhere. Here are a few themes that stood out for me:

Imagination
When we let ourselves dream through vision boards, journaling, or visualization, we reconnect with our true desires. That keeps us aligned to our core self and away from the regret of living by someone else’s expectations.

Community
Finding people who “get you” is powerful. Relationships protect our health, while loneliness wears us down. “Feeling lonely” is a theme I hear often from clients and peers from their 20s to their 60s. (I even wrote about my own fake best friend earlier this year.)

Play
As adults, we rarely give ourselves permission to play. And yet, putting on themed ears, screaming on a ride, or laughing until your cheeks hurt is exactly what reduces stress and restores creativity.

Awe
Awe expands our sense of time, shifts perspective, and makes us feel part of something bigger than ourselves. Disney literally designs for awe; it’s one of the fastest ways to reset your nervous system into a more balanced, calm, “rest and digest” mode.

And a fun note: people who experience awe are actually more likely to help others. Happiness isn’t selfish; it’s contagious!*

Disney may package it with castles and fireworks, but the real magic is universal: joy, wonder, and connection—the very things that protect our mental wellbeing and make life feel meaningful.

If you’d like to bring a little more magic into your everyday life, my Magic & Mindset class is an easy place to start. In just 1 hour, you’ll walk away with tools you can use today to increase hope and joy.

💫 Join Magic & Mindset here

Wishing you joy, wonder, and connection this week,
Nicole

*Here’s the study on awe.

P.S. ICYMI, last week I had an optional MRI with a lens of finding things before they become a serious issue. If you’re interested in checking out Prenuvo, please use this link to get $300 off: https://www.prenuvo.com/ref/3wi12