Happiness is an aspiration that we all have. For this reason, scientists have been trying for decades to figure out what makes people happy and how we can be happy most of the time. Happy people behave in a certain way.
On the other hand, it is a state of well-being that has inspired many authors, and It is a topic that many books on happiness deal with and what brings us closer to it.
In this article we have prepared a list of books that can help you understand the complex phenomenon of happiness.
1. Authentic happiness (Martin EP Seligman)
Seligman is known for his contributions to positive psychology and providing knowledge on how to be happier. This book offers an optimistic view of life always with scientific support, as there is a lot of research that can help you enjoy greater well-being.
2. Flow: a psychology of happiness (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)
The state of flow occurs when people do what they really want to do, because then they connect with themselves and it seems that time stops. The flow state means entering a state of full attention as we explain in our article: “Flow State (or Flow State): how to take your performance to the maximum.”
This concept is closely related to happiness, and in this text, The author exposes the keys to this state and explains what can be done to favor it Without a doubt, a great work.
3. The habits of a happy brain (Loretta Graziano)
Happy people usually carry out a series of habits that keep them in this state. But what happens to our brain when we are happy? What chemical processes take place? This is what Loretta Graziano’s work aims to explain. A highly recommended book.
4. The Happiness Trap (Russ Harris)
The media are constantly sending us messages about happiness and, on many occasions, they can spread irrational beliefs about this phenomenon This is why this book is different from many of those that deal with this topic, because it focuses on how we can become obsessed with being happy, something that has a negative impact on our well-being and happiness. The author reviews the keys to being happy taking into account the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy.
5. The life that blooms (Martin EP Seligman)
Another work by Seligman that gives us some teachings about happiness, because for this happiness to flourish it is necessary to water our daily lives and do things that allow us to live life resiliently even though sometimes the Sun does not rise. The book focuses on how to manage our emotions and achieve an emotionally intelligent personality.
You can get the book here.
Related article: “What are emotionally intelligent people like?”
This work has been written by Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University. Revolves around how we make mistakes trying to search for happiness , and its content has the scientific endorsement of many investigations and years of study of this phenomenon. A text with good reviews that has managed to win over its readers.
You will find more information about the book here.
7. Happiness. The science behind the smile (Daniel Nettle)
There is a lot of research that has been carried out in recent decades with the aim of better understanding what happiness is and how we can be happier.
In this sense, there are many texts that have attempted to compile the most interesting findings on this topic. In Happiness. The science behind the smilethe author makes an exhaustive review of these investigations on how our mood affects our brain
Visit this page to learn more about the book.
8. The science of happiness (Sonja Lyubomirsky)
A text similar to the previous one but with a more practical approach. That is, this work provides advice and gives guidelines so that those interested can improve their well-being and feel better in relation to themselves.
You will find more information about the book by clicking here.
9. Is your bucket full? Strategies to enhance your positive emotions (Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton)
A text that focuses on those emotional states that make us enjoy life. From a positive psychology perspective. This work offers strategies and knowledge to take advantage of it in our daily lives: interpersonal relationships, work, life goals, etc.
You can click here for more information about the book.
A book that criticizes the medical model when it comes to treating happiness and provides a new approach. The author presents a large amount of knowledge with scientific support about some Eastern practices such as meditation, and how these affect people’s quality of life. Readers benefit from an 8-week program to achieve emotional well-being
In this link you will find more information about the book.
11. Intelligent optimism: psychology of positive emotions (Mª Dolores Avia Aranda and Carmelo Vázquez Valverde)
Intelligent optimism is the opposite of false optimism, as you can see in the article: “False optimism: what is it and what are its negative effects?” And, at least in part, our way of thinking influences how we feel, so we can learn to see life in a more positive way. This book delves into the keys that help achieve this.
If you are interested, you can get it here.
12. The happiest company in the world (David Tomás)
People spend many hours of the day at our work, so work well-being affects all areas of our lives. David Tomás, the author of this work, is general director of the Ciberclyck group, considered the best company to work for in Spain. In this work he explains how is it possible to be a happy company which not only positively affects employees, but also the organization’s results.
