The How of Happiness

This book is based on the science of Positive Psychology, not just helpful tips from someone nice.

Since 1980, lots of serious research has been done on what behaviours and mindsets really make people happy – and the results are all here, in this clear, well-presented book. I dip back into this book regularly.

This book is another one that sits on my shelf as a reference book.

Its author is a leading happiness researcher in the wellbeing world, known for her research defining one’s Happiness Set Point – this determines our happiness level. Fifty percent is our genetic makeup. Ten percent of our life circumstances. Forty percent are intentional activities we can do to raise our set point. The last number is especially critical in helping us to understand how much we can control our happiness.

Also, the format of Dr. Lyubomirsky’s book inspired how I formatted my book as standalone chapters that… show more.

Sonja Lyubomirsky is one of the stars of the field of positive psychology, a social psychologist who has done research comparing people who are happy and unhappy.

In this book, she presents a number of research-based recommendations about how to live a happier and more fulfilling life.

One of the key things I took away from her book is that the research suggests that one of the best ways to make yourself happy is to do things for other people. In fact, there is research suggesting that thinking too much about making yourself happy actually backfires, and makes you more… show more.

Having authored a long-ago book on the scientific pursuit of happiness, I have a shelf of superb books by hugely respected colleagues such as Martin Seligman, Daniel Gilbert, Jonathan Haidt, and Ed Diener. But for an evidence-based overview of why some folks are happier than others, how happiness benefits us, and practical strategies for how (within the constraints of our genetic dispositions) we can give our happiness a sustainable boost, Lyubomirsky’s guide is among the best...as well as being a pleasure to read.