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Train Your Brain to Get Happy: The Simple Program That Primes Your Grey Cells for Joy, Optimism, and Serenity
Happiness begins at the cellular level - and your brain is making new neurons every day. Which means that you can literally program yourself for happiness - if you know how.
With this groundbreaking guide, you fire up your neurons for joy when you learn Written by acclaimed neuroscientist and Henry David Thoreau, scholar Dr. Teresa Aubele, and psychologist Dr. Stan Wenck, this book combines the latest research in both neuroscience and human behavior to give you the brain-changing program you need to lead a blissful life - each and every day!
With this groundbreaking guide, you fire up your neurons for joy when you learn Written by acclaimed neuroscientist and Henry David Thoreau, scholar Dr. Teresa Aubele, and psychologist Dr. Stan Wenck, this book combines the latest research in both neuroscience and human behavior to give you the brain-changing program you need to lead a blissful life - each and every day!
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2011
37 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 2, 2022
I found some of the information in this book to be helpful. However, I have a hard time with the lack of citations in the book. There are no footnotes/endnotes, just a lot of vague "researchers" saying things. I need scientific proof.
While I thought that the book introduces a lot of interesting, entry-level tips for improving mood, I do have some concerns. For someone like me, who is basically fine but a little down now and then, this book could prove helpful. I honestly believe that I have the ability to make myself happier by changing my outlook or habits. But for someone with a severe mood disorder, telling them to breathe, or think positive, or eat better, or get sleep, or eat a balanced diet-- these are all platitudes that they have heard time and again. It isn't helpful, and can be triggering to some people, who are sick of being told to "get over it," or "smile," or are made to feel as if their mental state is somehow their fault.
While I thought that the book introduces a lot of interesting, entry-level tips for improving mood, I do have some concerns. For someone like me, who is basically fine but a little down now and then, this book could prove helpful. I honestly believe that I have the ability to make myself happier by changing my outlook or habits. But for someone with a severe mood disorder, telling them to breathe, or think positive, or eat better, or get sleep, or eat a balanced diet-- these are all platitudes that they have heard time and again. It isn't helpful, and can be triggering to some people, who are sick of being told to "get over it," or "smile," or are made to feel as if their mental state is somehow their fault.
February 22, 2016
Some of us have had a hard time being happy lately, so some training seems to be in order. This is an interesting book. It dips into the physical aspects of the brain, and how different parts are related to or affected by the ways we think and the things we do. It gives some good techniques for thought training, relates basic nutritional principles to brain and mood health, and touches on exercise, drugs, and supplements.
It's missing a few things, though. A big one is citations. There are lots of interesting tidbits that begin with "Research says," or "A study at such-and-such place reveals," but no references. I wouldn't go track down all the papers and read them, but I'd feel more comfortable accepting the findings if I could see the relevant names and titles. This book is obviously designed as a quick, happy read, but I'd like to see a little more of the science upon which it purports to rely.
This is a little more personal, but I was dismayed at the authors' disregard of the spiritual aspects of mental health. They specifically advocated the "nonreligious" aspects of Buddhist mindfulness meditation, which sounds like a slap in the face to most monks. I know the authors are trying to be scientific, but the whole issue, from the division of brain, mind, and self, to the positive effects of compassion and forgiveness, would be easier to explain by acknowledging humanity's spiritual nature. Hopefully I can mix the good parts of this book with my own beliefs to help my family become happier.
It's missing a few things, though. A big one is citations. There are lots of interesting tidbits that begin with "Research says," or "A study at such-and-such place reveals," but no references. I wouldn't go track down all the papers and read them, but I'd feel more comfortable accepting the findings if I could see the relevant names and titles. This book is obviously designed as a quick, happy read, but I'd like to see a little more of the science upon which it purports to rely.
This is a little more personal, but I was dismayed at the authors' disregard of the spiritual aspects of mental health. They specifically advocated the "nonreligious" aspects of Buddhist mindfulness meditation, which sounds like a slap in the face to most monks. I know the authors are trying to be scientific, but the whole issue, from the division of brain, mind, and self, to the positive effects of compassion and forgiveness, would be easier to explain by acknowledging humanity's spiritual nature. Hopefully I can mix the good parts of this book with my own beliefs to help my family become happier.
March 12, 2014
This book gives useful, evidence-based strategies for improving mood. I found exercises that I've never heard of before, such as the "gratitude practice" where one writes down 5 things for which they are grateful each day for a month, to reap the brain benefits of gratitude.
It's all good until you get to Chapter 9: Eat Your Way to Happiness. Here, I have a major bone to pick. The author drones on and on about the Food Pyramid, as if the recommendations of the USDA are science-based and not designed to promote United States agriculture (which is the primary function of the USDA). I question how even whole grains are healthful - they too spike your blood sugar, just not as bad as refined grains. Over a century of nutrition science, and scientists can't even tell us what is most healthful to eat with any amount of certainty - which is why I question this devotion to the Food Pyramid.
Otherwise, the book's recommendations for mindfulness meditation, picking up new skills, emotional regulation, and CBT techniques (among other things) to improve the health and performance of the brain is useful, and I would recommend it to anyone - as long as they skipped chapters 9-11 (so as to avoid erroneous conclusions about nutrition drawn from correlational relationships instead of solid evidence).
It's all good until you get to Chapter 9: Eat Your Way to Happiness. Here, I have a major bone to pick. The author drones on and on about the Food Pyramid, as if the recommendations of the USDA are science-based and not designed to promote United States agriculture (which is the primary function of the USDA). I question how even whole grains are healthful - they too spike your blood sugar, just not as bad as refined grains. Over a century of nutrition science, and scientists can't even tell us what is most healthful to eat with any amount of certainty - which is why I question this devotion to the Food Pyramid.
Otherwise, the book's recommendations for mindfulness meditation, picking up new skills, emotional regulation, and CBT techniques (among other things) to improve the health and performance of the brain is useful, and I would recommend it to anyone - as long as they skipped chapters 9-11 (so as to avoid erroneous conclusions about nutrition drawn from correlational relationships instead of solid evidence).
December 27, 2016
Provides an entry-level education and overview of the latest work on brain plasticity, highlighting several areas and techniques one can use to reshape their brain for a happier life.
June 6, 2012
More neurology to understand why we feel and react the way we do. The first half is tough to get through unless you really enjoy brain science. It's interesting but probably a bit to esoteric at times. It's a tough concept to dumb down though. However, the last half is practical suggestions to change your whole outlook on life, become more patient with other's shortcomings, increase compassion and mindfullness, and generally see the world in a happier light without being blind to it's very real problems. I got a lot out of it and feel like a happier person as a result. I'm also much easier on myself now though I think we're all our own toughest critics so I've still got a ways to go :)
July 9, 2018
No Brasil é o Livro Mentes Felizes. Livro com explicações científicas e o quê fazer para termos um cérebro mais saudável e logo sermos mais felizes. Conclusões de como aplicar algumas técnicas e nos ensinando que o início de tudo para ser mais feliz é cuidar de tudo que vemos, ouvimos, sentimos e pensamos.
March 13, 2019
Lots of good information! About one third of this book is about nutrition but it stays focused on the brain and organizes the infirmation in small bite-sized chunks. I felt like this book inspired me to eat better. However, I felt it was a bit basic at points and could've gone more in-depth with CBT and had more CBT exercises.
February 6, 2017
I usually have a real hard time with non-fiction but I flew through this book. I found it to be very interesting and it was easy to follow and understand. The information provided helped me to plan a better diet to help my brain function better to help with my memory, thought process and mood! I even recommended it to a friend. Looking for more books with the similar idea, natural ways to help your brain (and body) function better for all areas of health and wellness!
May 2, 2013
fun book. I read this over a series of months, a chapter at a time. good information, some new and some common sense but with science to back it up. good tools to battle SAD or other mild forms of depression.
July 26, 2012
So far seems awesome! And very interesting.. i'm so excited to do the quizzes/continue reading it!
April 24, 2013
Many good ideas from mindfulness meditation to focusing on what you are grateful for in your life to better nutrition for a "happy brain" make this a useful and a good read.
January 1, 2016
Informative and useful, but I wondered about the calorie intake amounts... They seemed higher than what I've been told from health practitioners.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews