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The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want By Sonja Lyubomirsky ( Penguin Press HC, The )
Release Date: 2007-12-27
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List Price: $25.95
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Product Description
You can change your personal capacity for happiness. Research psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky's pioneering concept of the 40% solution shows you how
Drawing on her own groundbreaking research with thousands of men and women, research psychologist and University of California professor of psychology Sonja Lyubomirsky has pioneered a detailed yet easy-to-follow plan to increase happiness in our day-to-day lives-in the short term and over the long term. The How of Happiness is a different kind of happiness book, one that offers a comprehensive guide to understanding what happiness is, and isn't, and what can be done to bring us all closer to the happy life we envision for ourselves. Using more than a dozen uniquely formulated happiness-increasing strategies, The How of Happiness offers a new and potentially life- changing way to understand our innate potential for joy and happiness as well as our ability to sustain it in our lives.
Beginning with a short diagnostic quiz that helps readers to first quantify and then to understand what she describes as their "happiness set point," Lyubomirsky reveals that this set point determines just 50 percent of happiness while a mere 10 percent can be attributed to differences in life circumstances or situations. This leaves a startling, and startlingly underdeveloped, 40 percent of our capacity for happiness within our power to change.
Lyubomirsky's "happiness strategies" introduce readers to the concept of intentional activities, mindful actions that they can use to achieve a happier life. These include exercises in practicing optimism when imagining the future, instruction in how best to savor life's pleasures in the here and now, and a thoroughgoing explanation of the importance of staying active to being happy. Helping readers find the right fit between the goals they set and the activities she suggests, Lyubomirsky also helps readers understand the many obstacles to happiness as well as how to harness individual strengths to overcome them. Always emphasizing how much of our happiness is within our control, Lyubomirsky addresses the "scientific how" of her happiness research, demystifying the many myths that unnecessarily complicate its pursuit. Unlike those of many self-help books, all her recommendations are supported by scientific research.
The How of Happiness is both a powerful contribution to the field of positive psychology and a gift to all those who have questioned their own well- being and sought to take their happiness into their own hands.
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 Great Approach
Although the first part of the book is a bit repetitive, and I would quibble with some of the methodology, part II is incredibly valuable because it has 12 well-explained strategies you can choose from and begin implementing on daily basis to become happier. The strategies are excellent. Among the many, many psychology and self-help books I've read, this is one of my top five favorites ever because the content is so valuable.
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 Yes, I agree w/ Allison
Maybe I'm biased, having breeasts and all, but the brain ladies always seem to give us the straight answers and I'm loyal to that. This is a wonderful book, very insightful. A good old fashioned "Brain Book" and from a fellow woman, you really can't beat that! I'm also going to have to plug Sarah Shikitao-Brown's book as well, because as Allison Tyler mentioned earlier,"Go brain ladies!" I concur completely. Here's the link to that one, both of these books are exceptional. Tao Cycle Therapy: Natural Happiness via Self Directed Cure for Chronic Anxiety & Depression [Updated 2008 3nd Edition]
-Jane Stevens
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The "How" Indeed
I've actually been following this author's work for about 5 years and was wondering when she was going to write a book. It was well worth the wait.
The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want is named quite well. It's based upon research her and her colleagues have conducted in the field of positive psychology. And she doesn't write a bunch of "feel good" garbage either. No, if you read this book, know that it comes from a person who only goes for solid research. If it hasn't been shown to be true, you won't find it in the book.
But the real issue for readers looking for a book to increase their happines is, "Is it possible?". In a word, yes, and after reading the book, you'll know why. While some things are out of your control when it comes to increasing your happiness, such as circumstances and genetics, the book makes it clear that there's still plenty of room left in the area of intentional activity to make the one happier.
Get the book if you want a practical and research-based approach to becoming happier. It really can make a difference. Other evidence-based happiness books I liked include Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World.
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Singer Bobby McFerrin had a monster hit in 1988 entitled Don't Worry, Be Happy. The hypnotically perky, happy song hopped its wa ( rolfdobelli )
Singer Bobby McFerrin had a monster hit in 1988 entitled Don't Worry, Be Happy. The hypnotically perky, happy song hopped its way across the globe, magically lifting the spirits of listeners everywhere. The lyrics say: "In your life expect some trouble / When you worry you make it double / Don't worry, be happy / Be happy now." If only happiness were that easy to achieve. Indeed, happiness requires considerable focus and effort, but psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky promises that it is eminently achievable, even for the galactically unhappy. She outlines some proven psychological stratagems and explains why they work, if you put in the effort. Just be aware of and implement specific mood-lifting techniques to improve the level of happiness in your life. Whether or not you cheer up when you hear McFerrin's catchy tune, getAbstract suggests giving Lyubomirsky's scientific happiness-inducing techniques a shot. Don't worry, be happy: They just might work.
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Wonderful book
I stumbled on this book by accident and I am so glad I did. It is very enlightening. Sonia is thorough in her research and has the data to back it up. I felt happy just reading it . . . I have more control over my happiness than I realized. The exercises are very useful and easy to do, nothing complicated. I would recommend this book, whether you "feel" happy or not.
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Addiction
