Hey Everyone!
Hope you’re doing well!
Throughout my life as a student I have had to read many books and novels. However, the book that has had the greatest positive impact in my everyday life is The How of Happiness by Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky. This was an assigned reading for one of my psychology courses and it was definitely a worthwhile read that I would highly recommend to everyone!
The How of Happiness is a self-help book that teaches you how to work towards becoming a happier person. However, what separates this book from the hundreds of other similar books is that this particular book is based on real scientific research that has been conducted on this topic.
Basically, this self-help book is very accurate and reliable because at its core it is based on scientific research. The author herself is a University Lecturer and researcher at the University of California Riverside.
The key idea of this book is that happiness is something that can be attained by actively working towards achieving it. The author points out her research that shows 50 percent of our happiness is based on our genetics, 10 percent of our happiness is based on our life situations (such as whether we are rich or poor; healthy or unhealthy etc.) and most importantly 40 percent of our happiness is based on our own thoughts and behaviors (which we can change).
The purpose of this book is to help you take advantage of this 40 percent that is within our control. The author presents and describes 12 different happiness enhancing strategies. however, not every strategy will work for every individual. This is why the author provides the reader with a (very simple) diagnostic self-test to determine which two or three strategies will work best for him or her.
After determining which strategies will work best for you, you can go to the chapters on those strategies in order to start implementing them in your life. Or you can read about all 12 strategies and see if you would benefit from them. The strategies include:
- Expressing Gratitude
- Cultivating Optimism
- Avoiding Overthinking and Social Comparison
- Practicing Acts of Kindness
- Nurturing Social Relationships
- Developing Strategies for Coping
- Learning to Forgive
- Increasing Flow
- Savoring Life’s Joys
- Committing to your Goals
- Practicing Religion and Spirituality
- Taking Care of Your Body
Some of these strategies may sound too easy or too cheesy however, in the last part of the book the author explains how and why these strategies work. This book also contains a special section with tips for those that may be feeling depressed.
Overall, this book is written in a manner that is very easy to read and understand. I have learned so much from this book and from the bottom of my heart I hope that each person that reads this post will also read this great book and hopefully go on their own personal journey to living a happier and more fulfilling life.
With Love,
Yasmin
A Bit Better 
Thanks for the tip. Will put it on my amazon wish list! 🙂
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Your most welcome! Thank you for commenting and hope you get a chance to read it!
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I was just looking for a book that teaches self-loving, being optimistic and such … Thanks for the post! Definitely going to look into this 🙂
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Your most welcome! Thank you so much for commenting I am so glad your considering looking into this book!
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Great review. It sounds like a good book to read after I’ve finished all of the girly, summer, not too taxing reads I’m currently enjoying whilst on holiday!!
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I will definitely be checking this out! I feel like any type of self-help/self-love book should be read by all of us. We all struggle with ourselves in one form or another at one point.
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Thank you for commenting and I totally agree with you that we all struggle with ourselves, I know I do, and as you mentioned such self help books can really help teach us the skills to think positively and be more optimistic!
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Thanks for commenting and I hope you have a great and relaxing vacation!
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Hey Jasmin! I just found the book on Amazon! I will let you know what I think of it!
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Hi! Thanks for commenting. I am so glad that you’re interested in reading this book! I would definitely love to hear your thoughts about it whenever you get a chance to read it! And yes I also bought that mine from Amazon 😊
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I love books like these. I love nettering myself!
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That’s great! When it comes to reading I really enjoy self help books and anything that helps us better ourselves!
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I meant bettering and not nettering. Hahaha! But I see that you got that 🙂 I agree with you. Have a lovely night x
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Oh haha don’t worry I make those mistakes all the times! And thanks you too!!!
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Thank you! I’ve been on the search for a book on attaining happiness. I’ve found some but I think this one may suit me best.
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Thanks so much for commenting! I am so glad you’re interested in reading this book and I think it will benefit you because it offers different strategies for different individuals!
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Greetings Yasmin!
I love this post and Dr. Lyubomirsky’s book! No, I haven’t read it yet, but you make a strong case for me to jot it down on my Things To Do list. I adore self-help books. Since I love my Kindle Fire, I’m wondering if she has published a digital copy. The twelve happiness strategies are pure gold, my fav “Expressing Gratitude.”
Heading back to my editing before I hug my pillow! 🙂
Claudia
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Claudia thank you so much for your very sweet comments! I just checked on Amazon and yes this book is offered as a ebook! However, its a little on the pricier side for an ebook. I am sure you can find used or cheaper version online! However, I do recommend this book because it has a little something for everyone!
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Wow! What a thoughtful response! I appreciate you, Yasmin! Muchas gracias!
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