Do you find yourself striving for happiness but never quite achieving it? You’re not alone. Many people try to become happier by seeking new jobs, making more friends, and achieving greater successes, only to feel unfulfilled. Others turn to self-help books for advice on how to be happier.
With such an overwhelming number of self-help books available, where do you start? As a book summary service that has reviewed hundreds of books, we’ve identified 7 key sources of happiness, and we will be sharing the best books on happiness that cover these topics.
7 Ways to Find Happiness
Happiness is a personal experience–what makes someone else happy might not have the same effect on you. Still, there are shared factors that often bring happiness across the board. For instance, feeling comfortable in a particular place, enjoying time with loved ones, or being thankful for life’s good things.
With that, let’s look at 7 factors researchers have identified as key contributors to happiness.
Getting in Flow
Have you ever been so immersed in an activity, like reading a book or playing a sport, that you lost track of time and emerged from the experience feeling really fulfilled and energized? This is called being in ‘flow’, or being ‘in the zone.’ Studies show that flow is strongly connected to happiness because you’re more likely to experience flow when you’re doing something that’s meaningful and comes naturally to you – often bringing a sense of contentment.
Living into Your Values
What matters most to you? Is it being kind, treating others with respect, or giving freely? Research shows that if we know what we value, and act in accordance with those values, we can increase our happiness. If you understand your values, you can deliberately do the things that are worthwhile and meaningful to you, thus improving your overall satisfaction with life.
Mindfulness
Can mindfulness really make you happy? Well, yes, it can. When we pay attention to our inner state, and are aware of our thoughts and feelings, we can be kind to ourselves and ask for help when we need it. For example, when dealing with a challenging task at work, instead of feeling overwhelmed, we can focus on breathing, taking things one step at a time, appreciating our progress, maintaining a positive outlook, and seeking support if necessary.
Personal Growth
Research has found that a common factor in truly happy people is being content with who you are, even as you strive to be more. This means taking an active interest in learning more about yourself and exploring new possibilities ahead.
Positive Relationships
A Harvard study on happiness that ran for over 80 years found that having strong relationships is more important for happiness than money, career success, or fame. Strong relationships are associated with support and wellbeing, so it’s crucial to surround yourself with trustworthy people who can help you when needed.
Self Acceptance
Focusing on your weaknesses won’t make them disappear. Instead, it might amplify your sense of inadequacy and hinder your growth. To achieve peace and happiness, you need self-compassion, and to accept your current state while you strive to improve. Remember, self-acceptance, growth, and happiness reinforce one another.
Purpose in Life
When you are unclear on your purpose, you’re likely to follow someone else, and this lack of authenticity can make you feel unsatisfied. Research tells us this: when you discover your true purpose, and use your skills for meaningful activities that are aligned with your purpose, it enhances mental health and well-being.
Recommendations: The Best Books on Happiness
These happiness books can help you experience positive emotions and bring you closer to a happy life.
Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hanson
1-Sentence Summary
Rick Hanson explains the neuroscience behind some traditional Buddhist mindfulness practices that can help us awaken our minds and create positive change.
What It Teaches You
We all experience suffering, and Hanson explains the root of suffering and how to cultivate positive thoughts, feelings, and experiences. His strategies include calming the body and mind, soothing fears to avoid overreacting, seeking refuge to recharge, aligning motivations, reinforcing feelings of energy and determination, and seeking composure.
Key Takeaways
Each thought and emotion we experience creates mental processes that move through our neural pathways, molding our neural patterns. By regulating our mental processes, we can alter and mold our brains to increase joy, affection, and understanding.
Best For
Anyone wanting to understand how we can intersect neuroscience and mindfulness to improve our well-being and achieve greater happiness.
Favorite Quote
“You can do small things inside your mind that will lead to big changes in your brain and your experience of living.”
Book Review
In “Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom,” Dr. Rick Hanson shows how to use Buddhist teachings to change our daily experiences and reactions. Hanson explains the reasons behind these methods by describing the brain processes that support these ancient Buddhist ideas.
The book offers deep insights and wisdom, as well as practical techniques for making personal changes. Hanson explains how certain human qualities affect our daily lives and shows how to handle negative traits and develop positive ones effectively.
You can read our detailed Buddha’s Brain summary here.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
1-Sentence Summary
Mark Manson shows us how to focus on what truly matters and find genuine happiness by letting go of societal expectations and acceptance of life’s inevitable challenges.
What It Teaches You
Manson teaches us to accept pain and tough times, rethink our values, and focus on what really matters. He suggests embracing uncertainty, taking full responsibility, finding joy in the process (not just the result), and thinking about our mortality to fully appreciate life.
Key Takeaways
Trying to achieve the modern definition of success, or what others care about often leads to insecurity and misery. By caring less about societal expectations and more about what you truly value, you can find fulfillment. Pain is an inevitable part of life and can guide us towards meaningful pursuits. Embracing our average nature and focusing on process-oriented values leads to genuine happiness.
Best For
Anyone overwhelmed by societal pressures and looking for a way to focus on what truly matters to them.
Favorite Quote
“The key to a good life is not giving a f*ck about more; it’s giving a f*ck about less, giving a f*ck about only what is true and immediate and important.”
Book Review
In “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life,” Mark Manson combines humor, personal anecdotes, and empirical research to debunk modern myths about success and happiness. He argues that by accepting our limitations and focusing on meaningful values, we can lead more fulfilling lives. Manson’s writing style makes complex ideas accessible and engaging, providing practical techniques to embrace life’s challenges and find true happiness.
You can read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck summary here.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
1-Sentence Summary
Shawn Achor tells us that contrary to popular belief, success does not bring happiness; rather, it is the other way around: happiness fuels success.
What It Teaches You
To reach success, we need to be happy. Achor offers seven practical principles to harness the “Happiness Advantage.” These include training your brain for positivity, changing outcomes through mindset shifts, and investing in social support. These principles can help you improve health, productivity, and overall satisfaction in life.
Key Takeaways
To unlock the happiness advantage, we need to train our minds to be more positive. By changing how we think and expanding our beliefs about what we can achieve, we can improve our ability to accomplish what we once thought was impossible. Shawn Achor’s advice includes training our brains to recognize positive patterns instead of negative ones, using setbacks as opportunities to grow stronger and happier, focusing on small, achievable goals during tough times, replacing bad habits with good ones, and building and strengthening our social connections for greater happiness and resilience.
Best For
Anyone looking to understand how to become happier and use that to drive personal and professional success.
Favorite Quote
“Happiness is not the belief that we don’t need to change; it is the realization that we can.”
Book Review
In “The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology that Fuel Success and Performance at Work,” Shawn Achor draws from extensive research and personal experience to illustrate how happiness and positivity can transform our lives. He introduces seven actionable principles to help individuals and organizations thrive. Achor’s engaging style, supported by empirical evidence and real-world examples, makes the book both informative and practical.
You can read The Happiness Advantage summary here.
12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson
1-Sentence Summary
Jordan Peterson outlines twelve rules to live a free and full life.
What It Teaches You
The 12 Rules for Life stresses the importance of structure and responsibility in our lives. Peterson argues that embracing rules and discipline can lead to a more fulfilling and orderly life. He explains how these twelve rules, rooted in ancient wisdom and modern research, can help you find purpose, and improve positive emotions.
Key Takeaways
Some of the 12 rules Jordan Peterson advocates for include fixing your posture, with the idea that a boost in self-esteem will lead to more productivity and well-being. Peterson encourages us to care for ourselves like someone we’re responsible for helping. Furthermore, he reminds us to cultivate relationships that inspire and support our growth. He advocates for finding a higher purpose instead of seeking instant gratification. His other rules delve into personal truth listening, acceptance, gratitude, obedience, straightforwardness, and accountability.
Best For
Those seeking more structure, meaning, and resilience amidst modern-day chaos.
Favorite Quote
“Happiness is not the belief that we don’t need to change; it is the realization that we can.”
Book Review
In “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos,” Jordan Peterson combines personal anecdotes, philosophical reflections, and practical advice to offer a guide for navigating life’s complexities. Each rule is backed by a blend of scientific research and ancient wisdom, making the book a compelling read for anyone looking to improve their life. Peterson’s engaging writing style, along with his deep insights into human nature and societal structures, makes the book both thought-provoking and actionable.
For more detailed insights and applications of these principles, check out our 12 Rules for Life summary.
Ikigai by Yukari Mitsuhashi
1-Sentence Summary
Ikigai explores the traditional Japanese concept of finding joy and meaning in life through daily pleasures and personal values.
What It Teaches You
The book teaches that ikigai, or “reason for being,” is a deeply personal concept that brings joy and value to life. It emphasizes the importance of finding satisfaction in everyday activities, understanding your passions and values, and making meaningful contributions to the world. By discovering and embracing your ikigai, you can enhance your mental and physical health, and find purpose and happiness.
Key Takeaways
The reasons for being can be found in simple daily activities, hobbies, relationships, and small moments of joy, not necessarily grand ambitions or professional achievements. Ikigai is tied to Japanese values of mindfulness, appreciating life’s transient moments, and paying attention to small details. Ikigai can change over time as your interests and life circumstances evolve.
Best For
Individuals seeking to find deeper meaning and joy in their everyday lives.
Favorite Quotes
“Ikigai is the action we take in pursuit of happiness.”
Book Review
“Ikigai: Giving Every Day Meaning and Joy” by Yukari Mitsuhashi offers a thoughtful and accessible exploration of the Japanese concept of ikigai. Drawing on her personal experiences and cultural insights, Mitsuhashi provides practical advice and reflective questions to help readers discover their own ikigai. The book emphasizes the importance of finding joy in the present moment and appreciating the small pleasures of life. It’s a valuable guide for anyone looking to lead a more meaningful and fulfilled life by understanding and embracing their personal ikigai.
For more detailed insights into the concept of Ikigai, check out our Ikigai summary.
Man’s Search For Meaning by Victor Frankl
1-Sentence Summary
Nazi Death camp survivor, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl shares how logotherapy can be used to help people overcome anxiety and find happiness.
What It Teaches You
The book teaches that finding meaning in life is crucial for overcoming adversity and achieving fulfillment. Frankl’s experiences in the concentration camps underscore the importance of maintaining a sense of purpose even in the most dire circumstances. Logotherapy, developed by Frankl, emphasizes that humans are motivated by a “will to meaning,” and this can be harnessed to navigate challenges and achieve psychological well-being.
Key Takeaways
In “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Viktor Frankl reveals that finding meaning in suffering was crucial for survival in concentration camps. He identifies three psychological phases prisoners underwent: initial shock, followed by emotional apathy, and post-liberation depersonalization. Frankl highlights key coping mechanisms such as cultivating rich inner lives, setting future goals, and maintaining a sense of agency. Central to his philosophy is logotherapy, which focuses on future goals and personal purpose rather than past experiences. He posits that meaning in life is individual and evolves over time, much like the best move in a chess game varies with each situation.
Best For
Anyone looking to find meaning in life that conveys happiness and fulfillment.
Favorite Quotes
“Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue. One must have a reason to ‘be happy.’ Once the reason is found, however, one becomes happy automatically.”
Book Review
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl is a moving exploration of the human spirit’s capacity for resilience and purpose. Through his personal experiences in Nazi concentration camps, Frankl illustrates the critical role that meaning plays in survival and psychological health. The book’s introduction to logotherapy provides practical insights into finding purpose in life, making it a valuable resource for anyone facing hardship or seeking deeper fulfillment. Frankl’s narrative is both a historical account and a timeless guide to understanding the importance of meaning in our lives.
You can read our detailed Man’s Search for Meaning summary here.
The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha
1-Sentence Summary
Taking note that many people are unhappy in their careers, Author Neil Pasricha outlines nine practical secrets for achieving happiness.
What It Teaches You
The book teaches that happiness is not a result of success but a precursor to it. By understanding and applying the nine secrets, you can reframe your mindset, improve your daily habits, and cultivate a deeper sense of joy and fulfillment. Pasricha emphasizes that happiness can be trained and that small, consistent actions can lead to significant improvements in overall well-being.
Key Takeaways
Pasricha suggests simple habits to increase happiness. These include walking, writing about positive experiences, doing random acts of kindness, getting into the flow, taking breaks from technology, meditating, and showing gratitude. He encourages finding motivation from within, appreciating the privilege of being alive, and having a clear sense of purpose even after retiring. Pasricha also highlights the importance of valuing time, keeping organized spaces, tackling procrastination one step at a time, being genuine, and making decisions based on personal judgment rather than seeking outside advice.
Best For
Anyone wanting to learn how to train their brain to be happy.
Favorite Quotes
“Because we scan the world for problems, sometimes that’s all we see.”
Book Review
“The Happiness Equation” by Neil Pasricha is an insightful guide to achieving lasting happiness through practical actions and mindset shifts. Pasricha combines personal anecdotes, research-backed happiness strategies, and engaging stories to convey his message effectively. The book’s structure, based on the equation Want Nothing + Do Anything = Have Everything, provides a clear and actionable framework for readers to follow. Whether you’re looking to enhance your daily happiness or seeking a deeper understanding of what truly brings joy and fulfillment, “The Happiness Equation” offers valuable lessons and tools to help you on your journey.
You can read The Happiness Equation summary here.
How to be happy: Bonus Book Recommendations
Looking for even more resources? Here are several bonus titles to consider:
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
Oliver Burkeman explores the pursuit of fulfillment in life and emphasizes our fixation on productivity and the anxiety that comes from trying to avoid wasting time. He suggests strategies to counter the unhealthy belief that we must always be doing something. A recurring theme in his strategies is the acceptance that nothing is guaranteed and that happiness comes from how we handle that realization. The book goes beyond mere theories, incorporating examples, personal anecdotes, and research references to help readers reflect on their mortality and the idea of finding happiness within various limitations.
You can read our detailed Four Thousand Weeks summary here.
7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness by Jim Rohn
Many of us are accustomed to the idea that to progress, we need to work harder. However, in “7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness,” Jim Rohn suggests that we must work on ourselves instead of working harder or smarter. He outlines 7 ways to improve ourselves, including goal setting, seeking knowledge, and learning how to change. By applying these strategies, we can lead a richer and more fulfilling life. Rohn’s writing style is easy to understand, and the book is a relatively short read, making it suitable for those who prefer concise information. If you’re looking for a shorter version, you can gain insights from our summary of the book’s main ideas.
The Art of Possibility by Benjamin and Rosamund Stone Zander
When things get hard, we have a choice: we can give up, get mad, or look for new possibilities. Authors Benjamin and Rosamund Stone Zander want us to take away this message from their book. They share 12 strategies to boost creativity and think about what’s possible instead of what’s not. They suggest we change how we think, stop measuring ourselves against set standards, and avoid comparing ourselves to others. Instead, they encourage us to adopt a mindset of abundance. This book offers practical ways to change how we approach our relationships, work, and ourselves.
You can read The Art of Possibility summary here.
Conclusion
Life can be unpredictable, and we can’t always be happy. But we can adopt healthy practices to feel authentic happiness more often. Some of these practices include having a support network, doing things that come naturally to us, and being optimistic during tough times. These not only make us happy but also help us deal with challenges.
To keep benefiting from these practices, we should make them part of our daily lives and not forget about them. It’s helpful to have the best books on happiness that explain these practices and keep reminding us about them. Readingraphics provides easy-to-understand summaries of these books, making it quick to understand their ideas and concepts. So, aim to grasp the knowledge you need to have about happiness. Your sense of fulfillment and well-being depend on it.
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