Table of Contents
For Marcello, who got us started.
Introduction
What would make us happier than we are? How can we hold onto happiness after weve achieved it? These are the sort of questions most of us think about a lot. Increasingly, psychology is asking the same things. Its also coming up with some eye-opening answers as it turns its attention to people who are successful, satisfied, and resilient enough to flourish in their lives even after setbacks and disappointments. What are their secrets? Can they apply to us all?
Since its inception, psychologythe scientific study of mental states and behaviorhas devoted a great deal of time and effort to the understanding and treatment of problems and disorders. And although much progress has been made and much has been learned, there came to be a growing sense that something was missing. The new field of positive psychology, which officially dawned at the turn of our millennium, aims to fill in the gap as it explores the causes and effects of happiness.
The Complete Idiots Guide to the Psychology of Happiness is your guide to the lessons that positive psychology is learning. Its not an instant feel-good fix filled with smiley faces and affirmations. Its a compilation of information and proven techniques that will enable you to access your innate strengths, reframe your perceptions, and enhance your repertoire of behaviors in ways that will make you more fulfilled within yourself, within your relationships, and in your work.
Life can be a roller coaster, and circumstances are always shifting. But those who choose to cultivate happiness can remain strong, steady, and ready to make the most of every opportunity. Soon new choices, new habits, and new perspectives may profoundly alter the way you greet each day, relate to others, care for yourself, and anticipate your future.
How This Book Is Organized
This book is divided into six parts:
Part 1, The Study of Happiness, examines the nature of true happiness and explores humankinds attempt to understand and obtain itfrom ancient times through todays burgeoning new field of positive psychology.
Part 2, The Secrets of Character, tells how our character strengths and values have a profound impact on our level of satisfaction with our lives. It also looks at the phenomenon of altruism and explores why doing good can lead to feeling good.
Part 3, Positive Thoughts, Attitudes, and Actions, looks at how certain habits of thought, perception, and behaviorsuch as cultivating humor, optimism, gratitude, and a sense of playcan help us increase our inner propensity for happiness. It also explores why people who consider themselves spiritual seekers tend to feel more content with their lives.
Part 4, Happy at Work, discusses how and why the principles of positive psychology are being increasingly applied in the workplace in hopes of boosting employee engagement, fostering constructive communication, and engendering more creativity. It also shows how individuals can improve their personal job satisfaction and success by utilizing positive psychology tenets.
Part 5, Happy Together, explores the impact of strong marriages, supportive friendships, and community involvement on happiness. It also examines the principles of positive parentingthe art of raising children who are optimistic and resilient.
Part 6, Wellness and Happiness, addresses the roles of both body and mind in generating and sustaining happinessas well as how happiness itself can play a role in keeping the body healthy and the brain supple. Here youll learn how practices such as regular aerobic exercise, yoga, meditation, and sound sleep can positively impact the mind-body system, how positive attitudes can help us heal, and how happiness may impact the length of our lives.
Happiness Helpers
Sidebars have been placed throughout this book to make it even more useful and to make it simple to begin understanding the psychology of happiness and its findings. Within them are all sorts of instructive tips and nuggets of knowledge. There are five types of sidebars:
Happy Thought
Here are wise thoughts on living the happy life from experts, including psychologists, philosophers, and spiritual leaders.
Stumbling Blocks
Warning: the behaviors or situations noted here are likely to jeopardize your happiness quotient.
Happiness Trivia
Look here for assorted tales and detailsall intriguing attractions along the road to happiness.
Look here for an elaboration of terms used in the text.
Helping Hand
Here are tips to help you maintain a positive outlook, use your strengths, and seek out happiness-inducing situations.
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be or are suspected of being trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books and Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Part 1
The Study of Happiness
Much of our behavior is aimed at increasing happiness. Yet many of us find that obtaining things we thought would make us happy only satisfy us for the briefest while. Whats at the root of lasting happiness? Is it externally caused or internally determined? This part examines historical perspectives and looks at a new branch of psychology that seeks to learn from people who seem to know the secret.
Chapter 1
What Happiness Is and Isnt
In This Chapter
When there is confusion of pleasure and happiness
Why money wont buy happiness
Whether falling in love means lasting happiness
Why lasting happiness comes from within
Why there are many obstacles to happiness
Youve just heard that its freezing cold back home, but you dont mind because youre on vacation in the tropics. In fact, right now youre floating in a raft chair in a crystal-clear swimming pool, twirling a cool drink with a festive umbrella stirrer, and taking a long sip. Are you happy?
Youve been working outdoors on a hot, humid day. Youre parched and perspiring. Suddenly you hear the merry tinkling of a familiar tune. Its the ice-cream man! Someone brings you a double-dip cone. Its got two scoops of your favorite flavorand sprinkles on top. Are you happy?
