Harmony of Mind & Heart: Joy Cards for Emotional Balance (Older Adults)

Overview

Who This Is For

• Older adults aged 60 and above
• Suitable for people with mild cognitive decline up to healthy seniors
• Can be done one-on-one or in small groups (6–8 people)

Program Goals / Intended Benefits

1. Recognize emotions: Identify six positive experiences through concrete images
2. Express emotions: Describe three difficult feelings clearly
3. Regulate emotions: Create visual links between “joy” and “challenge”
4. Take-home tool: Complete a reusable Emotional Balance Journal

Duration

• 120 minutes total (includes a 15-minute tea break)

Materials (per participant)

Printed Templates

1. Joy Cards Template (A6, 6 sheets)
   • Title box on top
   • Large blank drawing area
   • Three short lines below for written notes
2. Emotion Map Template (A4 black card)
   • White outline of a head (left side)
   • White outline of a heart (right side)
   • Each has three numbered boxes (1–3)
3. Matching Chart (A4 ivory cardstock)
   • Six circles on the left (A–F)
   • Six squares on the right (1–6)
   • Blank space in the middle for connection lines
4. Emotional Balance Journal Folder (A4)
   • Cover area for decoration or stickers
   • Inside plastic pockets for all artworks

Art Tools

• Thick color markers (12 colors, easy-grip tip)
• Soft pastels (6 colors, visible on black paper)
• Color dot stickers (2 cm, 6 colors)
• Gold / silver pens (for writing on black paper)
• Wet wipes
• Magnifier (optional)

Support Tools

• Non-slip mat for paper stability
• Table lamp (one per table)
• Example artwork (for facilitator demo)

Session Flow

Warm-Up – 15 min

1. Grounding Body & Mind (5 min)

Facilitator script:

“Let’s sit comfortably with both feet flat on the floor.
We’ll take three slow breaths together.

• First breath — breathe in and imagine your favorite flower scent.
  Breathe out and let your shoulders drop.
• Second — breathe in the warmth of sunlight on your face.
  Breathe out and relax your forehead.
• Third — breathe in and feel your chest fill with air.
  Breathe out with a gentle smile.”

Actions

• Play soft background music (calm instrumental or nature sounds)
• Gentle neck and shoulder rolls (three times each)

2. Introducing Materials (5 min)

“Today we’ll make our own Emotional Balance Journal.
Here’s the sample I made.”

Explain each part slowly:

• “These six colorful cards — you’ll draw something that makes you happy.”
• “This black paper — we’ll write or draw things that worry you.”
• “At the end, we’ll connect the happy and the hard parts to find balance.”

3. Creating Safety (5 min)

“Please remember three things:

1. It doesn’t matter if your drawing looks ‘good’ — what matters is how you feel.
2. You never have to share anything you don’t want to.
3. You can rest anytime. Just raise your hand.”

Interaction:

• “Pick one color marker you like the most.”
• “Would you like to tell the person next to you why you chose that color?”

Phase 1 – Creating Six Joy Cards (40 min)

Each card has a fixed theme. Participants simply fill in their own memories.

Joy Card A – My Favorite Food

“Take your first card — My Favorite Food.
Think of a dish you love or remember most clearly.
Maybe it’s your mother’s braised pork rice,
or the New Year stew you had once a year,
or the oyster omelet from the market stall.

Draw that dish in the middle.
It can be the bowl, the plate, or just the colors of the food.”

If someone says “I can’t draw”

“No problem — you can draw a circle for the bowl and color inside.”

If they have too many choices

“Pick the first one that pops into your mind.”

Then ask:

1. What is this dish called?
2. Why do you like it — taste, memory, comfort?
3. Who cooks it best?

(Facilitator may write down responses if needed.)

Joy Card B – A Warm Moment with Someone

“Next card.
Think of a time when someone’s company made you feel warm and safe.
Maybe your grandchild sat on your lap,
or your partner held your hand on a walk,
or you had tea with an old friend,
or your pet rested near your feet.

Draw that moment. Two people, hands held, sitting together — whatever you see.”

Write or say:

• Who was with me?
• Where were we?
• What were we doing?

Joy Card C – A Beautiful View

“Third card.
What’s the most beautiful or peaceful view you’ve ever seen?
Maybe a park near home,
the sea you visited when young,
a tree outside your window,
or flowers in your garden.

Draw that scene — mountain, water, tree, or sky — use the colors you love.”

Write below:

• Where is this place?
• What did you see?
• How did it make you feel?

Joy Card D – Something I Feel Proud Of

“Fourth card.
Think of something you’re proud of in your life.
Maybe raising your children,
learning a skill like driving, cooking, or singing,
achieving something at work,
or caring for family through a hard time.

Draw something that shows that pride — a certificate, a smile, a tool.”

Write:

• What did I do?
• How old was I then?
• Why did it make me proud?

Joy Card E – A Comforting Habit

“Fifth card.
Think about something you do every day or every week that makes you feel calm.
Maybe drinking tea in the morning,
taking a nap,
listening to the radio,
walking in the park,
watering plants.

Draw that habit — a teacup, a bed, a radio, flowers.”

Write:

• What do I usually do?
• How often?
• It makes me feel …?

Joy Card F – Someone (or a Pet) I Miss

“Last card.
Think of someone you miss — maybe they passed away or moved far away.
A relative, a friend, or a pet.

Draw them, or something that reminds you of them.
It’s okay if it feels sad — take your time.”

Write:

• Who I miss
• What I remember about them
• When I think of them, I …

Tea Break – 15 min

“You’ve finished six Joy Cards — great job!
Let’s rest, have some tea, and stretch.
You can look at your cards or chat about them if you like.”

(Facilitator quietly checks participants’ mood and prepares next materials.)

Phase 2 – Drawing the Emotion Map (30 min)

Step 1 – Introducing the Map (5 min)

“Now we’ll use this black paper to draw the feelings that don’t feel so good.

See the two sides?

• On the left is your Head — the things you think and worry about.
• On the right is your Heart — the things you feel, like sadness or anger.

We’ll write three things for each side.”

Step 2 – Worries of the Head (12 min)

“Let’s start with the Head.
What are three things you’ve been worrying about lately?”

Examples:

• My health getting worse
• Memory problems
• Fear of falling
• Not enough money
• Getting sick with no one to help
• Worry about my children

Write or draw one worry in each box.
Use a small picture if possible:

• Fear of falling → draw a cane
• Memory → question mark
• Money → wallet or coin

“If this worry were an object, what would it look like?”

(Facilitator may draw for them with consent.)

Step 3 – Feelings of the Heart (13 min)

“Now look at the Heart.
What are three feelings that make your heart heavy?
You don’t have to explain why.”

Examples:

• Feeling lonely
• Missing someone
• Angry at children for not visiting
• Feeling useless
• Feeling ignored
• Sad about aging

Draw or write them in the heart boxes.
Possible symbols:

• Loneliness → one small figure
• Missing → a photo or face
• Anger → red lines
• Feeling useless → an X mark
• Being ignored → a tiny version of yourself

Phase 3 – Joy Matching (25 min)

Step 1 – Understanding the Idea (5 min)

“Now comes the most important part!

We have six Joy Cards (A–F) and six uncomfortable things (1–6).
Let’s think:
Which joy can help you face which difficulty?

Example:

• ‘Worry about falling’ may connect with ‘Warm Moment with Someone’ — because someone will hold your hand.
• ‘Feeling lonely’ may connect with ‘Favorite Food’ — you can cook for yourself or invite a friend.

There’s no right or wrong. Just follow your feeling.”

Step 2 – Doing the Matching (15 min)

Option 1 – Draw a Line

1. Lay the six Joy Cards on the table.
2. Keep the Emotion Map beside them.
3. Choose one Joy Card and find a matching worry or feeling.
4. Draw a line on the Matching Chart from A–F to 1–6.
5. Write one short sentence near the line.

Examples:

• A → 3 (Worry about falling)
  “Cooking reminds me I can still take care of myself.”
• B → 4 (Loneliness)
  “Warm company helps me feel connected.”
• F → 6 (Missing someone)
  “The one I miss would want me to be happy.”

Option 2 – Color Stickers
Use same-color dots for matching pairs (e.g., red A–3, blue B–4).

Step 3 – Sharing (5 min)

“Look at your Matching Chart.
Choose one line that feels most meaningful.
Tell us:

• Which joy did you match with which challenge?
• Why?
• How does that joy help you?”

Group Sharing Rules

• Each person speaks for 1–2 minutes
• Others respond kindly (nodding, “That’s beautiful,” etc.)
• Facilitator summarizes each insight briefly

Ending – Integration & Take-Home (10 min)

Step 1 – Assembling the Journal (5 min)

1. Arrange six Joy Cards in order.
2. Add the Emotion Map.
3. Add the Matching Chart.
4. Place everything in the folder.
5. Decorate the cover or write your name.

“Congratulations — you’ve made your own Emotional Balance Journal!
Keep it somewhere you can easily reach.”

Step 2 – How to Use It at Home (3 min)

“When you feel sad, worried, or angry:

1. Open your journal.
2. Look at your Emotion Map — find the feeling that fits (for example: ‘I feel lonely – that’s No. 4’).
3. Check the Matching Chart — see which Joy Card connects (No. 4 → Card B).
4. Take out that Joy Card.
5. Look at it slowly, remember that warm moment, breathe three times, and tell yourself:
   “I have known joy, and I can feel it again.””

(Facilitator demonstrates once.)

Step 3 – Closing Blessing (2 min)

“Everyone was so brave today — you shared feelings and found your own treasures of joy.
Remember:

• Joy and sadness are both normal.
• Happy memories can comfort difficult feelings.
• You are not alone — we are all here with you.

Next time, we can share how the journal helped you.”

End: gentle applause • thank each other • announce next session time

Facilitator Checklist & Key Points

During Joy Card Phase

• Give one card at a time (8–10 min each)
• Offer help to those who can’t start
• Use positive comments — “Great color choice!” / “You remember so clearly.”
• Note emotional moments (e.g., smiling, tears)

During Emotion Map Phase

• Remind: “You don’t need to fill all six.”
• Pause if emotions rise.
• Help write if needed.
• If someone says “Nothing bothers me,” gently ask, “Maybe a small worry? Just a little one?”

During Matching Phase

• Give clear examples (2–3 stories).
• Allow multiple matches.
• If stuck, ask : “Which Joy Card feels most comforting to look at?”

Evaluation

Process Observation (Form for Facilitator)

Item	Focus	Notes
Participation	Completed six Joy Cards	☐ All ☐ Some ☐ Struggled
Emotional Expression	Able to name hard feelings	☐ Open ☐ Hesitant ☐ Refused
Understanding	Grasped matching idea	☐ Clear ☐ Needed help ☐ Not understood
Regulation	Stayed emotionally stable	☐ Stable ☐ Fluctuating ☐ Upset
Social Interaction	Shared with others	☐ Active ☐ Passive ☐ Avoidant

Outcome Evaluation (End of Session)

Self-reflection questions:

1. “How do you feel after finishing this journal?”
   ☐ Good ☐ Okay ☐ Not good
2. “How do you feel after finishing this journal?”
   ☐ Good ☐ Okay ☐ Not good
3. “Do these six Joy Cards truly show things that make you happy?”
   ☐ Yes ☐ Maybe ☐ Not really
4. “Do you feel these six Joy Cards truly show things that make you happy?”
   ☐ Yes ☐ Some of them ☐ Not really
5. “When you wrote down the uncomfortable feelings, did it make you feel lighter?”
   ☐ Yes ☐ A little ☐ No
6. “Will you take this journal home and use it?”
   ☐ Yes ☐ Maybe ☐ No
7. “Do you remember how to use it at home?”
   ☐ Yes ☐ A bit unsure ☐ No
   (If they forget, the facilitator explains again.)

Common Situations & How to Respond

1 – Participant says, “I can’t draw.”

Steps

1. Reassure – “That’s okay. This isn’t a test. It doesn’t have to look real.”
2. Simplify – “Let’s make it easy. If you like braised pork rice, just draw a bowl and color it brown.”
3. Show an example – Draw a very simple sample.
4. Offer an option – “You can tell me and I’ll write a few words for you.”
5. Lower the bar – “Even just choosing one color and filling the page is fine.”

2 – Participant becomes emotional (crying / angry)

Often happens during

• Joy Card F (Missing someone)
• Emotion Map writing
• Matching phase

Steps

1. Pause immediately – “Let’s take a short break; it’s okay.”
2. Offer tissue; gentle touch if culturally appropriate.
3. Normalize – “It’s completely natural to feel sad when you remember. Crying shows courage.”
4. Ask choice – “Would you like to rest for a moment or keep going?”
5. Redirect if needed – “Let’s sip some water, maybe look out the window.”
6. If in group – Ask an assistant to stay with the person privately while others continue.

Avoid saying

• “Don’t cry.”
• “Try to think positive.”
• “It’s all in the past.”
• “Be strong.”

Instead say

• “I’m here with you.”
• “This feeling is real; I understand.”
• “You can say whatever you need to.”

3 – Participant says, “I have nothing to worry about.”

Possible reasons

• Truly content life
• Habit of hiding feelings
• Distrust of group setting
• Belief that sharing weakness is wrong
• Cognitive decline

Steps

1. Respect – “That’s wonderful; it means life feels good right now.”
2. Gentle probe – “Is there maybe a small worry or something you think of sometimes?”
3. Give examples – “Like worrying about catching a cold when the weather changes? Or something you see on the news?”
4. Change angle – “If you could change one little thing in daily life, what would it be?”
5. No pressure – “If nothing comes up, that’s fine. You can just draw patterns you like.”

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4 – Participant doesn’t understand the matching step

Simplified explanations

Version 1 – Tell a short story

“Let me give an example.

Mrs. Chang worries about her memory.
But one of her Joy Cards shows her grandson’s photo.
She thinks, ‘Even if I forget some things, my grandson still loves me and always smiles at me.’

So she connects Grandson’s photo with Worry about memory.
When she worries later, she looks at that photo and remembers, ‘I’m still loved.’
Does that make sense?”

Version 2 – Use a metaphor

“It’s like drinking ginger tea when you catch a cold.
When the heart feels sad, looking at a happy memory is like warm tea for the heart.

We’re finding which happy memory can be your ginger tea.”

Version 3 – Facilitator assists

“I notice this Joy Card might match this worry.
What do you think?”
(Get consent before drawing the line.)

5 – Participant overshares trauma or private stories

When it happens

• Talks continuously during sharing time
• Mentions abuse or serious trauma
• Others look uncomfortable

Steps

1. Gently interrupt – “Thank you for sharing; I hear you’ve been through a lot.”
2. Protect privacy – “These deeper stories we can talk about privately later, okay?”
3. Refocus – “Let’s continue so everyone can finish their work.”
4. After session – Speak privately and assess emotional safety.
5. If severe trauma – Recommend referral to a qualified counselor.

6 – Someone criticizes another’s artwork

Examples

• “That looks ugly.”
• “Why is that happy?”
• “You’re wrong to think that way.”

Steps

1. Stop immediately – “Hold on, we have an important rule here.”
2. Remind group – “Every feeling is real; there’s no right or wrong.”
3. Reframe – “Mr. Chen’s and Ms. Lin’s drawings are different, because every life is different.”
4. Protect the one criticized – “Ms. Lin, your picture is honest; thank you for sharing it.”

Extended Applications

Option 1 – “Mini Joy Pack”

How to make

• Shrink the six Joy Cards to business-card size
• Laminate them and add a key-ring or small pouch

Use

• Keep in wallet or bag
• Take out and look when feeling low

When to create

• During a follow-up session
• Or facilitator can help mail them later

Option 2 – Monthly Follow-Up Program

Schedule: once a month × 60 min

Session 2 (after 1 month)

• Review: Did you use the journal? Which Joy Card did you look at most?
• Add: Create one new “Joy of the Month” card
• Reflect: Has any worry changed?

Session 3 (after 2 months)

• Theme: “The Seasons of Joy”
• Make four Joy Cards – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
• Discuss how to care for yourself each season

Session 4 (after 3 months)

• Theme: “Sharing My Joy with Others”
• Pick one Joy Card and plan how to share that joy with family or friends

Option 3 – Family Version

Purpose – help families understand elders’ inner world and improve communication

Steps

1. Elder finishes their own journal first (private)
2. Invite family members (adult children / spouse) to a joint workshop
3. Family also makes a journal about their joys and worries
4. Exchange one Joy Card each
5. Discuss: “How can I be your Joy Card?”

Option 4 – Early Dementia Version

Adjustments

• Use only 3 Joy Cards (top three)
• Emotion Map: 2 uncomfortable items only
• Matching = simply choose “one favorite Joy Card”
• Use many photos instead of drawing
• Session time = 60 min
• Repeat every 2 weeks to reinforce memory

Special materials

• Photos from the elder’s younger years
• Real objects (teacup, flower, food sample) for memory cues
• Voice recorder for spoken memories (instead of writing)

Facilitator Preparation Checklist

One Week Before

• Confirm participant number
• Print all templates (+ 2 extra sets)
• Buy art materials
• Test pastel visibility on black paper
• Prepare sample artwork
• Check venue (light, chairs, restroom access)

Day Before

• Call participants (reminder)
• Ask about special needs (wheelchair, magnifier, diet)
• Prepare tea and snacks
• Charge camera (if taking photos with consent)

Workshop Day (Arrive 30 min early)

• Set up tables with full material kits
• Test music / sound
• Prepare sign-in sheet
• Have emergency contacts ready
• Place tissue boxes on tables
• Write the schedule on a whiteboard

During Session

• Take setup photos (with consent)
• Observe each participant’s state
• Refill materials if needed
• Watch for safety (falls, accidental ingestion of materials)

After Session

• Help collect artworks
• Take photos of finished pieces (with consent)
• Fill evaluation form
• Count materials used
• Note special incidents for next time
• Send thank-you message within a week

Sample Schedule (2 hours 30 minutes)

Time	Activity	Notes
9:00 – 9:15	Sign-in & tea chat	Play soft music
9:15 – 9:30	Warm-up & materials intro	15 min
9:30 – 10:10	Create 6 Joy Cards	≈ 6–7 min each
10:10 – 10:25	Tea Break	15 min
10:25 – 10:55	Draw Emotion Map	30 min
10:55 – 11:20	Joy Matching	25 min
11:20 – 11:30	Integration & Closing	10 min
Total	2 h 30 min	including break

(Adjust to energy level – not over 3 hours.)

Example Case Study

Mr. Lee, 72 – Retired Teacher with Low Mood and Loneliness/ Mild Depression

Background
Widowed 3 years, lives alone, estranged from children, often feels lonely.

Joy Cards

• A – Favorite Dish:
  Drawing: a bowl of noodles
  Text: “My wife’s zhajiang noodles — every bite was satisfying. Now mine taste different.”
• B – Warm Moment:
  Two figures walking together.
  “Walking with my wife in the park. We didn’t need to talk — it felt peaceful.”
• C – Beautiful View:
  Mountains and clouds.
  “Sunrise at Hehuan Mountain after retirement — magnificent and free.”
• D – Proud Moment:
  Book and pen.
  “Taught for 30 years. Helped many students; some still visit me.”
• E – Comfort Habit:
  A teacup.
  “Morning coffee and newspaper every day — reminds me I’m alive.”
• F – Person I Miss:
  Woman’s side profile.
  “My wife — always smiling. Thinking of her makes me cry but also grateful.”

Emotion Map

• Head (worries):
  1 – Illness and no one to care ( drew hospital )
  2 – Memory loss ( question mark )
  3 – Money problems (empty wallet )
• Heart (feelings):
  4 – Loneliness (small person figure)
  5 – Anger at children (red lines)
  6 – Heartache missing wife (broken heart drawing)

Matching Results

A (noodles) → 4 (lonely)
“I can cook for myself and care for me.”

D (teaching) → 2 (memory loss)
“I taught many students; my mind is still strong.”

E (coffee) → 4 (lonely)
“This habit keeps my daily rhythm.”

D (teaching) → 1 (illness fear)
“Students said they’ll visit me — I’m not alone.”

C (mountain) → 5 (anger at kids)
“That trip showed I can live well on my own.”

F (wife) → 6 (missing wife)
“She would want me to live well for both of us.”

B (walk) → 3 (money)
“Walking is free joy — I still have plenty like that.”

Therapeutic Change

Before workshop:

“I don’t see a reason to live.”
“My kids don’t care.”
“Being alone hurts.”

After workshop:

“I still have so many good memories.”
“I can use them to take care of myself now.”
“My wife’s joy is still here with me.”
“I’ll keep this journal by my bed and look at it every day.”

3-month follow-up:

• Cooks noodles weekly
• Reconnected with former students (twice met)
• Joined a community book club
• Low Mood and Loneliness/ Depression notably reduced

Theoretical Foundations (for Professionals)

1. Positive Psychology

• Strength-based focus – build resources before facing problems
• Gratitude practice – Joy Cards visualize thankfulness
• Broaden-and-build – positive emotions expand cognitive flexibility

2. Narrative Therapy

• Externalization – draw feelings to separate them from self
• Re-authoring – matching creates new meaning links
• Witnessing – group sharing provides validation

3. Art Therapy

• Non-verbal expression for those with language limits
• Sensory activation through color and texture
• Symbolic representation for layered meaning

4. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Cognitive re-framing through joy–pain pairing
• Behavioral activation via daily Joy Card reminders
• Emotion regulation skills made practical and visual

5. Reminiscence Therapy

• Life review through positive memories
• Self-integration linking past and present
• Meaning-making in later life

Final Reminders for Facilitators

Attitude Matters More Than Technique

Remember:

Silence is participation – don’t rush to fill it.

You’re not teaching art – you’re accompanying people to find their inner strength.

A perfect picture isn’t the goal – honest emotion is.

Each person has a different pace – slow doesn’t mean failure.