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Spontaneous Happiness: A New Path to Emotional Well-Being Paperback – January 1, 2013

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 491 ratings

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Everyone wants to be happy. But what does that really mean? Increasingly, scientific evidence shows us that true satisfaction and well-being come only from within.

Dr. Andrew Weil has proven that the best way to maintain optimum physical health is to draw on both conventional and alternative medicine. Now, in Spontaneous Happiness, he gives us the foundation for attaining and sustaining optimum emotional health. Rooted in Dr. Weil's pioneering work in integrative medicine, the book suggests a reinterpretation of the notion of happiness, discusses the limitations of the biomedical model in treating depression, and elaborates on the inseparability of body and mind.

Dr. Weil offers an array of scientifically proven strategies from Eastern and Western psychology to counteract low mood and enhance contentment, comfort, resilience, serenity, and emotional balance. Drawn from psychotherapy, mindfulness training, Buddhist psychology, nutritional science, and more, these strategies include body-oriented therapies to support emotional wellness, techniques for managing stress and anxiety and changing mental habits that keep us stuck in negative patterns, and advice on developing a spiritual dimension in our lives. Lastly, Dr. Weil presents an eight-week program that can be customized according to specific needs, with short- and long-term advice on nutrition, exercise, supplements, environment, lifestyle, and much more.

Whether you are struggling with depression or simply want to feel happier, Dr. Weil's revolutionary approach will shift the paradigm of emotional health and help you achieve greater contentment in your life.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A comprehensive roadmap for the prized path to true happiness...Weil provides sensible, accessible advice...Immensely beneficial information for those seeking a self-galvanized life lift."―Kirkus Reviews

"Weil's program aims for 'positive emotionality'-a far better destination than the roller-coaster ride between bliss and despair. This is more than a New Age prescription for contentment. Weil's revelations and insights from his own lifelong battle with depression lift this guide from a hip and clinical 'how to' to a generous and heartfelt 'here's how.'"―
Publishers Weekly

"If you use this book as a tool to help you change your life, you might be surprised by what it can do for you."―
Yahoo! Voices

"
Spontaneous Happiness spells out some amazing guidelines on becoming a healthy individual."―Seattle Post Intelligencer

"Like all of his books, Spontaneous Happiness is a refreshing combination of clarity, science and practical wisdom. But it's also warm and, indeed, personal: Dr. Weil includes not only anecdotes from people who've written to him over the years, but also his own experience in battling mild depression."―
iVillage

About the Author

Andrew Weil, MD is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and a partner of True Food Kitchen. He is the author of several bestselling books, including Spontaneous Happiness, The Healthy Kitchen (coauthored with Rosie Daley), Healthy Aging, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, and Spontaneous Healing. He lives in Tucson, AZ.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Spark; Reprint edition (January 1, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316129429
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316129428
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 491 ratings

About the author

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Andrew Weil, MD
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Andrew Weil, M.D., is a world-renowned leader and pioneer in the field of integrative medicine, a healing oriented approach to health care which encompasses body, mind, and spirit. His forthcoming book, "Mind Over Meds: Know When Drugs Are Necessary, When Alternatives Are Better – and When to Let Your Body Heal on Its Own," will be released on April 25th, 2017.

Combining a Harvard education and a lifetime of practicing natural and preventive medicine, Dr. Weil is the founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, where he is also a Clinical Professor of Medicine and Professor of Public Health and the Lovell-Jones Professor of Integrative Rheumatology. Dr. Weil received both his medical degree and his undergraduate AB degree in biology (botany) from Harvard University.

Dr. Weil is an internationally-recognized expert for his views on leading a healthy lifestyle, his philosophy of healthy aging, and his critique of the future of medicine and health care. Approximately 10 million copies of Dr. Weil's books have been sold, including "Spontaneous Healing," "8 Weeks to Optimum Health," "Eating Well for Optimum Health," "The Healthy Kitchen," "Healthy Aging," and "Why Our Health Matters."

Online, he is the editorial director of www.drweil.com, the leading web resource for healthy living based on the philosophy of integrative medicine. He can be found on Facebook (facebook.com/drweil), Twitter (twitter.com/drweil), Instagram (instagram.com/drweil) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/drweil).

See a comprehensive list of Dr. Weil's information: about.me/DrWeil

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
491 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book provides helpful insights into depression and life. They appreciate the author's honest, kind approach. Readers enjoy the soothing and engaging voice of the author. The book offers tips on diet, exercise, supplements, and resources.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

112 customers mention "Information quality"109 positive3 negative

Customers find the book helpful and insightful. They appreciate the author's common-sense advice and tips for making life easier. The book provides a good perspective on life and helps improve mood. It is thought-provoking and useful for improving one's mental state.

"...In this book, Dr. Weil argues for an approach to treating depression and anxiety that blends both Western medicine and eastern medicine traditions...." Read more

"...: light therapy, empathy, breathing exercises, laughing clubs, pet therapy, writing in a gratitude journal, social isolation, compassion, meditation..." Read more

"I found this book quite enjoyable, although a little medically technical...." Read more

"...I am MORE than impressed with this work. He makes it easy to make some changes in your life to add quality and happiness to your everyday living...." Read more

41 customers mention "Readability"37 positive4 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and reference. It offers practical, doable suggestions on health that make sense. The author writes well and makes it interesting to learn. They like that the author himself reads the book.

"...Some of the topics in this book include: light therapy, empathy, breathing exercises, laughing clubs, pet therapy, writing in a gratitude journal,..." Read more

"...All are simple (start taking this vitamin, practice deep breathing, etc.)..." Read more

"...Things that make sense are easier to implement and follow." Read more

"...The book is very well categorized and easy to read...." Read more

10 customers mention "Honesty"10 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's honesty and kind approach. They find the book honest, spiritual, and real.

"Optimistic, positive, warm, comforting, factual, thorough, thoughtful... These are the qualities I've come to expect from Dr. Weil's books and I was..." Read more

"...the insight and ability to "change the world" and do it in a kind, gentle, intelligent and magnificant way...." Read more

"...happy to be in the company of this refreshing soul....He takes me on his journey in life...I find him pleasant, delightful, and human, and spiritual..." Read more

"...In this book I appreciate his honesty. Because I trust him I believe him and his recommendations work for me...." Read more

6 customers mention "Voice"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the author's soothing and engaging voice. They find the book engaging and mention that the author expresses knowledge well in laymen's terms.

"...Therefore, I was very pleased with this audio book--it is full of explanations of the data and research about various methods for reducing stress,..." Read more

"...This book starts off strong, likable perhaps for his authorial voice, personal anecdotes and common sense advice, and then about 1/3 of the way in..." Read more

"...I listened to it on tape and enjoyed his soothing and engaging voice and delivery." Read more

"...It always lifts my spirits. I just love the sound of his voice. I use it for napping also." Read more

4 customers mention "Breathing exercises"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the breathing exercises. They mention light therapy, empathy, and taking time to do breathing exercises daily.

"...Some of the topics in this book include: light therapy, empathy, breathing exercises, laughing clubs, pet therapy, writing in a gratitude journal,..." Read more

"...but it was good to be reminded of it again, such as taking time to do breathing exercises daily...." Read more

"...He also focuses on a proper diet, and regular (gentle) exercise like walking or swimming." Read more

"...Advice everyone can use. The breath exercises are especially helpful. Good advice for all ages" Read more

4 customers mention "Style"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's style. They find the approach interesting and intelligent, with a flowing writing style.

"...the world" and do it in a kind, gentle, intelligent and magnificant way. Get the book, visit his own personal website!..." Read more

"...Dr. Weil shows us the beauty in life." Read more

"Interesting look at living a happy meaningful life." Read more

"This book is easy to read. The flowing style of Dr Weill is pleasnt. It explains well what makes us unhappy and what makes us happy...." Read more

4 customers mention "Supplement options"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for providing information on supplements, diet, exercise, and other options. They appreciate the tips on natural supplements, yoga, meditation, breath work, journaling, and the resources provided in the book. The appendices are also appreciated.

"...The author offers tips on diet, exercise, and supplements that can be started today...." Read more

"...Dr. Weil goes over numerous options- supplements, yoga, meditation, breath work, journaling, etc...." Read more

"...There are so many simple lifestyle changes you can make, and natural supplements that you can take that will make a huge difference in your life..." Read more

"I love the message, research, and resources. It is so right on. Take charge of your happiness. The appendices are so helpful." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2017
    This is a book I saw off of a recommended reading list this past summer, and I was in a mood to read through as many of the books on that list as I could, so I bought it several months ago, but didn't really get around to reading in it until recently.

    In this book, Dr. Weil argues for an approach to treating depression and anxiety that blends both Western medicine and eastern medicine traditions. Which, as a person who has managed to live through some of the downsides of western medicine in the last few years, is something at this point in time, I'm fully supportive of.

    There are a couple of important points I want to make right off the bat before I go into any additional thoughts on this book. It was published in 2011, so it is important for you to keep in mind that medical science is not a static thing, studies and new information are actively coming about all the time. There is a lot of information in here as relates to studies, and my recommendation is if there is something in particular you are planning on relying on, especially when it comes to the herbs and the supplements, that you look up what the current information is.

    And for the supplements, it is important that you look up the contraindications and interactions before you start taking any of them. Ideally, you'd be looking into these with the support of a Dr, but often times, Dr visits are short in duration, and your PCP may not be able to evaluate all of your medications and whether or not you should be on these supplements in your typical office visit. And some Dr's are not open to taking these kinds of supplements at all, so if you're Dr. is one of them, and you want to try these, you may need to seek elsewhere. Some of these supplements, like St. John's Wort, interact with medications. St. John's Wort interacts with a ton of them, and I mean a ton. And SAMe really shouldn't be taken without physician guidance if you are already on an anti-depressant. And you need to be aware that some of these herbs can have effects on the body just as strenuous as prescription or over the counter meds, so checking for the contraindications for any of your medical conditions is a must if you want to avoid undesirable outcomes. And for me personally, as a person who experienced medication induced liver damage, I am hesitant to take a product like Rhodiola, which hasn't been studied enough to know the impact on the overall human system.

    For some things, like Omega 3, there are options on the market for vegetarians and vegans, but you do have to be careful to look up the dosing, because he gives all of his recommended doses in grams for fish oil, and those don't really translate over to the same amounts for algae or flax seed products. So based on what I looked up, it's about 1500 mg of omega 3's that's in the amount of fish oil he's recommending. I don't particularly need that high a dosage (it's about 3 times what is recommended for the average daily intake for normal conditions), but I've started paying attention to the amounts in the omega products I'm using and ordering, because there are a couple of people I would like to recommend try adding this to their regimen for mood support, and not all supplements will provide the amount you need for any of the therapeutic uses without taking multiples.

    If you were to ask me what I would sum up as being the most important pieces of advice in this book, it would be: take care of your body, and what you focus on matters.

    Exercise, nutrition, getting enough sleep,...I agree with him, the benefits of all of these in mood regulation are profound. He also references Seligman's work in here, and I've read some of his stuff myself, and I think that some of the selective optimism techniques have been very beneficial to me personally over the years. And Dr. Weil emphasizes meditation in terms of helping to reshape thought patterns and reduce stress, and I think he lays as strong enough case that studies are certainly supportive of that.

    My daughter asked me the other day, “Mom, how is it that you are not absolutely miserable?” She went on to reference the things people say to me about her brother (who has significant disabilities), the reactions I sometimes get from others about things like my muscles, the things that happen in the course of providing care for her brother, and the things I've been through in recent years. She'd been to the store with me and her brother that day, and got to witness some of my challenges in a few of those areas. I was still pretty surprised by the question, but I told her, “you know what, that's an important question, and I'm glad you asked it.” I told her: It's about what I focus on. I could focus on all of that bad stuff, and sometimes, I just can't help it, it still does cross my mind. But what I prefer to focus on as much as I can are the positives. I got to build a puzzle with you today. Your brother has a new skill. These arms are successfully raising a boy most people won't even babysit-they're freaking gorgeous as far as I'm concerned at this point and I can't be bothered to care what they think. Yes, things are hard, and life is certainly no fairytale. But the good moments are in there too. And that's what I want to focus on the most, because they are the things that make me happiest.”

    And I think that is for me, one of the more powerful tools in this book based on my personal experience. So, I do think this is an interesting read, and I can certainly recommend it. I would just strongly caution you to make sure you've done all of your research before you start ingesting any of the supplements on his list.
    60 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2012
    "Spontaneous Happiness" is one of Dr. Andrew Weil's most encouraging books. Within the pages he reveals his own battles with depression and explains he grew into a happier life by changing his lifestyle. Before reading this book I always assumed he was one of the happiest individuals on the planet. However he has had his moments of battling depression just like the rest of us.

    From page one I was completely captivated. The writing is intellectual all while revealing Dr. Andrew Weil's care and concern for the reader. His goal in writing about happiness and depression is to lead the reader to an "internal state of well-being."

    While reading this book you will happen upon interesting thoughts, like the real cause of postpartum depression and why there is a depression epidemic in the world.

    Here and there medications are mentioned and Dr. Andrew Weil is in no way against taking prescription medications. In fact he recommends medication and psychotherapy for bipolar individuals. He does however suggest a number of herbal and natural remedies that will appeal to readers looking for natural alternatives. There is also a mention of herbs and drugs you don't want to take that will make depression worse. So this is all very helpful information.

    Some of the topics in this book include: light therapy, empathy, breathing exercises, laughing clubs, pet therapy, writing in a gratitude journal, social isolation, compassion, meditation, avoiding news and the problem of disconnection from nature.

    There is a section on secular spirituality that can be practiced by anyone no matter their religion. The only thing I'd personally suggest is that you consider praying to God. This has personally made me happy. While reading this book I could not help feeling that perhaps Dr. Weil was in some way denying himself a wonderful relationship with the Creator of all he loves. He definitely loves nature and talks about loving tulips and other flowers he grows.

    For me bliss is reading books and this book made me especially happy. I found that it also made me feel very calm. I liked how Dr. Weil looked at subjects from a variety of angles and how he came to interesting conclusions. He also provides and excellent 8-week program at the end of the book. This program gives more detailed information that is needed to get healthy and happy.

    I know the difference between ecstatic bliss and extreme depression. The ideas in this book will lead you to a calm state of happiness that feels like unending joy.

    By 2030 there are going to be an overwhelming amount of people who are going to be depressed. This book can lead the world to a happier place and maybe prevent some suffering.

    ~The Rebecca Review
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2017
    I found this book quite enjoyable, although a little medically technical. I had to frequently look up the definition for words not in my common vocabulary, and read in short bursts. Dr. Weil seems to have a good grasp on the dramatic increase in depression in modern Americans. His recommendations to improve your baseline mood are relatively simple. He follows his discussion of the scientific research with an aggressive 8 week plan to implement all the solutions described in the book. All are simple (start taking this vitamin, practice deep breathing, etc.) although some are life altering and may be a challenge for many (cook more using real food, limit screen time, information exposure, spend time outside more).

    Like the saying goes, there's no escalator to success, you must take the stairs. I haven't yet started to implement his suggestions, but can see the potential for major stumbling blocks along the way.

    I bought the paper copy for my wife, and she bought the Kindle version for me. I haven't yet cracked the paper version, preferring to read on my Kindle Paperwhite. The one challenge I had with the Kindle format of this book is the plethora of hyperlinks in the text. Because the Paperwhite doesn't have physical page turn buttons, you must tap the screen to change places. This often had the unintended consequence of sending me off to another section of the book, or a website. Luckily, the back button works. This is a shared flaw with the Kindle device and the text formatting. The hyperlinks are useful, although they could have been formatted better so they didn't span multiple lines of text. I'm not in the market for a new Kindle device, but this book does give the the reason to consider an Oasis or Voyage over the Paperwhite.
    6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • GsB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on July 4, 2017
    The book that genuinely explains happiness and aims for well being
  • Kim Kascak
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of good information to pass on to others
    Reviewed in Canada on October 23, 2015
    Bought this for my daughter and friend, but had to read it myself first. Lots of good information to pass on to others. Thank you
  • Víctor M. Torres Cisneros
    5.0 out of 5 stars Tiene datos de evidencia científica actualizada
    Reviewed in Spain on June 29, 2013
    El libro reune varias modalidades para conseguir el bienestar emocional y/o subjetivo. Presenta ejemplos claros y precisos. Es sencillo y fácil de comprender.
  • Madalsa
    4.0 out of 5 stars Overall good!
    Reviewed in India on July 28, 2017
    It's good and helpful. But not interesting.
  • Virginia Redden
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2015
    Superb. Then again, it is Dr Weil!!!