The How of Happiness is a comprehensive guide to understanding the elements of happiness based on years of groundbreaking scientific research. It is also a practical, empowering, and easy-to-follow workbook, incorporating happiness strategies, exercises in new ways of thinking, and quizzes for understanding our individuality, all in an effort to help us realize our innate potential for joy and ways to sustain it in our lives. Drawing upon years of pioneering research with thousands of men and women, “The How of Happiness” is both a powerful contribution to the field of positive psychology and a gift to people who have sought to take their happiness into their own hands.
The premise of “The How of Happiness” is that happiness is worth striving for, and that 50 percent of a given human’s happiness level is genetically determined (based on twin studies), 10 percent is affected by life circumstances and situation, and a remaining 40 percent of happiness is subject to self control that can make a difference. The strategies offered in the book are designed to target the 40 percent of happiness that is subject to manipulation.
About the author
Sonja Lyubomirsky is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside.
Originally from Russia, Lyubomirsky received her A.B. from Harvard University and her Ph.D. in Social/Personality Psychology from Stanford University.
Lyubomirsky has been honored with a John Templeton Foundation grant, a Science of Generosity grant, a Templeton Positive Psychology Prize, and a million-dollar grant (with Ken Sheldon) from the National Institute of Mental Health.
