A Good Self Help Book for Optisim and Happiness

ClareP1983

Hi there, I am not sure if I am in the right forum but I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good self help book for helping with happiness and looking at things in an optimistic way. I know I wont find the 100% answer in a book but would like a good read! X

Maga

"The Science of Happiness" - Stefan Klein

By far the best book I read on the topic and one of the best books of my life.

I wouldn't call it self-help though, it has a bit of it but it can also be very technical sometimes. In a good way. Which just makes it even better.

Basically the guy reviews the most recent scientific studies in the area of psychology of happiness and gives pretty strong evidence to things/actions which are good and those which are detrimental to our well-being and happiness.

It also debunks a lot of myths about happiness/sadness, which is great. (eg. crying and expressing your sadness is not good as shrinks say, for sometimes it perpetuates the misery instead of helping it to go away; if you are sad, the simple act of shaping a smile with the muscles of your face sends info to the brain that you are well, and improves your mood)

There's also a lot of fascinating new data with even more fascinating implications to us on the themes of empathy, kindness, consumerism, social integration, depression, anxiety - it's fantastic!

I can't recommend it enough!!

(and I swear I'm not associated to the author )

ClareP1983

Wow that actually sounds great!! I will defo check it out! Thanks for your help!

bluemagpie

I'd recommend the Chimp Paradox written by a psychiatrist rather than a journalist. It relates more to understanding how the mind works and techniques to manage different aspects of your life with a view to improving your overall quality of life rather than focusing on happiness and optimism. But it is worth reading the reviews to see if it appeals to you.

Maga

bluemagpie wrote: »

I'd recommend the Chimp Paradox written by a psychiatrist rather than a journalist. It relates more to understanding how the mind works and techniques to manage different aspects of your life with a view to improving your overall quality of life rather than focusing on happiness and optimism. But it is worth reading the reviews to see if it appeals to you.

I just thought I should add as a reminder on scientific rigour: what supports claims made in any book is whether such claims were referenced, ie the author links his claims to the original scientific peer-reviewed studies which originated those ideas. And not so much the author's background (journalists x psychiatrists)

Stefan Klein does that extremely well, in spite of being a journalist. And this is what gives credibility to his claims. So do not be put off by books written by journalists if it has been done properly, and do not take to the heart books written my authors with a biomedical background if it has not been done properly.

Based on the reviews, it appears the Dr. Psychiatric from Chimp Paradox does not include a reference section at all in his book and his claims are his own theories and thoughts on the subject, rather than actual results from studies. This is very common in books written by psychiatrists/psychologists/"neuroscientists".

As I said, I haven't read the second book and I'm sure it must have a lot of interesting points. But I thought I should mention that when we look for scientific rigour, a reference section in the book should be equally - if not more - important than the background of the author.

On the other side, as you said, a psychiatrist/psychologist will have much more insight and hands-on experience in how to deal with the patient and methods and approaches to change mindsets etc. so those books are very valuable too.

It's just two different approaches (facts from studies x theories derived from daily practice/observations with patients)

xzanti

You can Heal your Life by Louise L Hay was a good one for me.. a bit on the style of 'The Secret' if you're open to that sort of thing.

Also The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.. it's a little cumbersome to read at times but good all the same..

Diziet

William Glasser - Choice Theory.

larrymickdick

ClareP1983 wrote: »

Hi there, I am not sure if I am in the right forum but I was wondering if anyone can recommend a good self help book for helping with happiness and looking at things in an optimistic way. I know I wont find the 100% answer in a book but would like a good read! X

Hey Clare

I don't know if you are on facebook but there is a guy you can follow and his page is called Begin with Yes. It's quite good in the way you start staying yes to things and it's almost magic happens. You don't need to have a positive outlook on life, just take positive steps - your mind will follow. Find him very good. He has a book but maybe if you want to check him out first.

I've also read the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz - I swear to god it's changed my life. You can get a small paper back version of it that will fit in your bag. It's nice and gentle and makes you realise the bigger picture. Both me & my sister have read it and always keep it close.

I started reading another book called the Courage to be Happy by an Irish author (can't remember his name) but found it heavy going. I wanted something easy to read as if you have a lot going on in your head you don't want to have a difficult book to comprehend as well (in my opinion).

Depending on your circumstance, there are other books by Melody Beattie that you might like and might be suitable for you.

Hope you get your happiness on hun :):):P:P:):):)

LadyBetty

xzanti wrote: »

You can Heal your Life by Louise L Hay was a good one for me

+1 to this, Louise Hay's wonderful book changed my life for the better. I re-read it a few times and also downloaded the audio version to listen to on the move, whenever I needed it.

I also enjoyed Tal Ben Shahar's book "Happier", it has practical steps to follow to make small differences in life that bring you happiness.

I couldn't get into Eckhart Tolle's book "The Power of Now", it didn't grab me.

Call Me Jimmy

larrymickdick wrote: »

I've also read the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz - I swear to god it's changed my life. You can get a small paper back version of it that will fit in your bag. It's nice and gentle and makes you realise the bigger picture. Both me & my sister have read it and always keep it close.

I am reading this now... thank you. I've always been thoughtful about the arbitrary rules of society and this is giving me presence of mind just reading it. The rate I'm going I will have a full-on epiphany!

Selfheal

As above, "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. Or "A New Earth" by the same author.