Isaac Prilleltensky - The Laughing Guide to Well-Being: Using Humor and Science to Become Happier and Healthier

Praise for The Laughing Guide to Well-Being

In The Laughing Guide to Well-Being: Using Humor and Science to Become Happier and Healthier, Dr. Prilleltensky, a respected authority in the area of well-being, reminds us that humor is a key factor in coping with life stressors and being resilient in work and life. Drawing upon psychological insights, the scientific literature, and common life experiences this book provides an important contribution to positive psychology in general and our understanding of happiness in particular.

In each chapter, Dr. Prilleltensky uses a strengths-based orientation to provide both chuckles and chunks of wisdom that we can all use to create a greater sense of well-being in our lives. And for those who are in leadership roles, I suggest they make this book required reading for those they supervise. When leaders model the behaviors and attitudes described in this book, then they, their co-workers, and their workplace becomes healthierand more productive!

The capacity to laugh is essential to our well-being and needed more today than ever. This book provides the evidence, both scientific and anecdotal, that we each have the capacity to incorporate humor to strengthen our sense of well-being. Be good to yourself, read this book! Spencer Niles, dean and professor, School of Education, The College of William & Mary, co-author of Career Flow and Career Development Interventions

A Revelation!

This is exactly what we need. The Laughing Guide to Well-Being shows the one little changeable thing in our lifea better sense of humorthat can transform relationships, visions toward the future, and our health. But as weve gotten more prosperous over the years, weve also gotten more serious, skeptical, and snarky in our humor. Prilleltenskys brilliant book shows how we can turn this around. There is no easier way to have a ripple across the rest of our lives than to realize that our laughing side is also our learning side.Brian Wansink, PhD, Professor, Cornell University, Author of Slim by Design and Mindless Eating

Who knew a self-help book could be funny, while being grounded in legitimate science; a guide to greater health or happiness, without being moralizing or prescriptive; or wise and insightful, without the self-directed blandishments from an author who cant see himself having the same problems the rest of us have. Dr. Prilleltensky has managed to pull off this hat trick and produce a book that is fun to read and deeply educational. Harold G. Levine, dean and professor, School of Education, University of California, Davis

Dont let the lighthearted tone fool you! Dr. Prilleltensky provides witty descriptions of cutting-edge techniques and draws on the latest research to give you memorable, effective strategies for making your life meaningful and fun. Dont be surprised if you suddenly understand scientific thinking better, too. The guy entertained me immensely and taught me more than I would have ever guessed. Mitch Earlywine, professor, SUNY Albany, author of Humor 101

Isaac Prilleltensky has been long admired for his wisdom and insight about psychology, social issues, and well-being. His new book shines a light on his talents as a humorist, which allows him to generate incisive observations about the nature of the human condition. Reading this book will make you laugh and also will give you pause as you consider the complicated journey to a life of well-being, connection, and meaning. By weaving together humor, psychological insights, and compassion, Professor Prilleltensky has created a brilliant book, one that has enormous heart and a deep soul. David L. Blustein, professor, Boston College, author of The Psychology of Working

The Laughing Guide to Well-Being changed my life! I gained two hours a day of productive time by simply washing my Senokot down with pomegranate juice... who knew.... Isaac did! You will learn and laugh; a great prescription for well-being. Kenneth A. Rosen, chief executive officer, Infinity Sales Group

This book takes the tense out of Prilleltensky. It is not only funny, but also instructive, practical, and deeply thought-provoking. Prof. Prilleltenskys accessible text reminds us of the healing power of gentle satire and laughter, while also sharing important insights about the sources of personal and collective well-being across Interpersonal, Community, Occupational, Physical, Psychological, and Economic domains (I COPPE). Dr. Iain Butterworth, manager; Liveability and Sustainability, Eastern & Southern Metropolitan Health, Victorian Dept. Health and Human Services, Australia

This book not only tickles your belly and makes your heart glad, but it contains important health informationlaughter is seriously good for you! Its a fun read that present slaughter as a tonic with powerful healing properties.Youll be convinced that a sense of well-being is good for your health and laughter is way more fun than surgery. Eduardo J. Padrn, president of Miami Dade College

Reading Isaac Prilleltenskys book is like having him as your own funny, irreverent, warm, and wise friend. For years, hes been a scholarly mentor in matters of social equity and well-being; now he offers caring guidance in living a healthy, connected, good lifeall in the context of his hilarious observations of human nature (most often his own). Open and personal, informative but never preachy, Prilleltensky shows that we can take our wellness seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. Laura Smith, associate professor, Teachers College; author of Psychology, Poverty, and the End of Social Exclusion

Prilleltensky adeptly tackles the challenges that confront most humor scholars. How can the science of laughter be taken seriously? This book provides entertaining stories to illustrate and validate the psychology of humor as integral to the search for well-being. Mary Kay Morrison, president, Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor; author of Using Humor to Maximize Living

In The Laughing Guide to Well-Being , Isaac Prilleltensky combines humor and science to provide readers with an in-depth understanding of the six areas of well-being. His approach is unique and innovative. Each chapter begins with the Laughing Side, then the Learning Side, which makes for a most engaging, informative, and, at times, hilarious read. His use of amusingly constructed acronyms makes it easy to remember key concepts. This book is an important contribution to the field of happiness, laughter, and well-being. I learnt and laughed a lot! Ros Ben-Moshe, director of LaughLife Wellbeing Programs and lecturer, School of Public Health, LaTrobe University

One need only spend a leisurely lunch with Isaac Prilleltensky to know youre in the presence of someone who sees the world from a unique perspective. Even the most serious of subjects are broached with a sense of charm and humor thats very rare these days. Ive had the pleasure of engaging Dr. Prilleltensky in a variety of settings, and, knowing him as I do, it makes so much sense that he has written this wondrous new book, The Laughing Guide to Well-Being: Using Humor and Science to Become Happier and Healthier . In his own words: All of us can use a little help to become happier and healthier, and thats just what he provides in this lively, funny, and abundantly useful guide to leading the most fulfilling life possible. This is a book I know will resonate with my customers and all readers everywhere! Mitchell Kaplan, owner, Books & Books

This is a humorous and entertaining book about matters of great seriousness and importance. Prof. Prilleltensky touches on central points related to human functioning and our experience of well-being. He draws on his rich experience, as well as providing support from contemporary research, ultimately providing profound insights about our lives. The humorous perspective complements the theoretical and empirical material, rendering it accessible to all. Amiram Raviv, professor and dean, School of Psychology, The Center for Academic Studies, Or-Yehuda; former chief psychologist, Department of Education, Israel