You can achieve happiness
This book, as advertised, is a scientific study of the subject of personal happiness. If you read this book with attention and intention, you will find your personal gateway to more happiness in life.

Commonly accepted notions of happiness are dispelled as myths. You will be surprised to learn that wealth alone does not buy real happiness( which is a permanent change of one's psychological state) and even more surprised to find out why. Neither does moving to the exotic locale of your dreams. That'll shock you. The real source of happiness, the author contends, for each individual can be found by identifying, from a number of scientifically developed strategies, which one or more can most effectively be applied by that indivdual. A simple test one takes before the main material is presented points you in the right direction. The author suggests that one might jump directly to the appropriate material, but does state that it's ok to read everything if you want. You might be surprised to find, for example, that learning gratitude, as simple and "hokey" as such a pursuit sounds, will make you a significantly happier person. The author cites scientific verification of her theories on the effectiveness of this happiness "activity", as she does for the twelve other activities, grouped under "stragegies" that she presents.

This material works. If you feel that you want more happiness in life read, and consider applying, the results of the author's scientific study of the subject of happiness. If you want to be as happy as you personally can be, and each person has a happiness setpoint genetically determined, real happiness IS achievable. Sylvia shows you how.

Your Happiness
The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want

A thorough book on becoming happier based upon research by one of the world's leading happiness experts. The book is based on scientific research not conjective. The author writes well and makes this an interesting read. Identifies the areas that we can influence to help us create a happier life and indicates those that we can't do anything or much about, such as our genetics. Helps the reader identify happiness activities that fit her/his interests,values and needs. Emphasizes the importance of gratitude, positive thinking,kindness and social relationships in finding happiness. Provides many helpful suggestions on managing stress, hardship and depression. A very worthwhile book that provides the reader with a guide to what is likely to produce positive results and what is likely to do nothing more than spin our wheels.

All according to plan.
Not really much to say, everything went according to plan. Made the buy, and the product arrived in the projected time frame in perfect condition.

Thank you very much.

A unique marriage of self-help and science
In this book, psychology professor Sonja Lyubomirsky presents a simple, step-by-step process to creating a happier life. What is unique about Lyubomirsky's approach is that each and every recommendation she makes is supported by decades of research and scientific evidence; in short, the twelve happiness activities she presents have been thoroughly vetted in their ability to produce ongoing feelings of pleasure and contentment in one's life.

The basic premise of this book is that 50% of one's "set point" happiness is genetic, 10% is related to life circumstances, and the remaining 40% is changeable through our own activities. Lyubomirsky suggests that all of us can be happier if we simply engage in any one of the 12 happiness activities which she describes in detail in this book. However, she acknowledges that certain activities will be a better "fit" for certain individuals, and so she includes a "Person-Activity Fit Diagnostic" to determine which activities might work best for you. (Note: Those who find themselves to be depressed upon the initial assessment are encouraged to skip ahead to the book's postscript, "If You Are Depressed.")

Once you have identified your best fit happiness activities, Lyubomirsky recommends actively pursuing up to four of them. Some of these activities may well be things that you are already doing in your life, such as expressing gratitude, nurturing social relationships, practicing religion, and engaging in physical activity. Lyubomirsky goes on to explain that in order to provide sustainable happiness, these activities need to include several "hows," including eliciting positive emotion, providing optimal timing and variety, including an element of social support, involving motivation/effort/commitment, and finally, becoming a habit.

This book is similar in style to Daniel Gilbert's Stumbling on Happiness in that it presents a wealth of scientific evidence in an extremely readable format. Although Lyubomirsky isn't quite the entertainer that Gilbert is, her writing is interesting and engaging. As a psychologist myself, I know that I will use the concepts presented here in my work with my clients, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book as a direct resource for my clients as well.

Proven techniques for developing and maintaining a positive outlook
Dr. Sonia's text is filled with descriptions of empirical studies that help lift the moods of everyday people. If you want to feel better, practice some of the techniques that she advocates. The book presents several methods for turning your attitude about people and events around to a balanced and optimistic point of view.