What Your Body Knows About Happiness: How to Use Your Body to Change Your Mind

by Janice Kaplan

Happiness isn't just a state of mind. It's also a state of body.

Standing straight can give you a shot of confidence and forcing a smile might improve your mood. But do you know why? We generally believe that the brain is the big computer telling our bodies how to respond, but new research shows that the system often works in reverse. Your body reacts first, and your brain then interprets the physical signals. As you walk by a dark alley, your heart starts pounding and only then does your brain get the message I'm scared! The body can also send messages about positive emotions, allowing you to experience more happiness, love, and joy.

In What Your Body Knows About Happiness, Janice Kaplan, the New York Times bestselling author of The Gratitude Diaries, explores the startling new evidence showing that our feeling bodies are often smarter than our thinking minds. Talking to experts in a wide range of fields, she brings her distinctive brand of conversation, humor, and storytelling to scientific research, drawing unexpected links that reveal the power of body-mind connections. Learn how to use your body to be more creative and how changing your environment can improve your mood. Discover how your brain resolves bodily pain, why blue and green are the happiest colors, and even why wine tastes better when you're drinking it in Paris. You'll also get tips and strategies for knowing your body in a whole new way—leading to greater happiness and pleasure every day.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Health, Audiobook, Personal Development

395 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2025

About the author

Janice Kaplan is the author of many popular books, including the New York Times bestseller THE GRATITUDE DIARIES and her most recent book, THE GENIUS OF WOMEN. Widely known as a journalist, television producer and magazine editor, she has also written or co-written bestselling novels including THE BOTOX DIARIES, THE MEN I DIDN'T MARRY and MINE ARE SPECTACULAR! as well as the mysteries LOOKS TO DIE FOR and A JOB TO KILL FOR.

Janice was the Editor-in-Chief of Parade Magazine and executive producer of the TV Guide Television Group, where she created and produced television specials that aired primetime on all the major networks. She co-authored the bestseller I'LL SEE YOU AGAIN and the non-fiction HOW LUCK HAPPENS. She began her career as an on-air sports reporter for CBS Radio and went on to be a producer at ABC-TV’s Good Morning America, where she won awards for investigative reporting.

She graduated magna cum laude from Yale University and won Yale's Murray Fellowship for her writing.

Reviews

[Cee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your body can tell your mind what to feel! Mind boggling! It makes perfect sense while at the same time being shocking. Now every time I notice a strong emotion starting I check in with my physical symptoms to see whats going on in my body. The author also addresses how our bodies respond to outside stimuli thru sight and sound like being in nature, architecture and being in noisy environments. And how even taste is affected by our other senses. Further, the information on pain and the brain is beyond amazing. As well as movement and learning. Lots of other truly fascinating information! Definitely worth reading.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read! I definitely agree with a lot of the things said from personal experience. Just smiling or changing scenery does so much. Loved the stories to explain a lot of the ideas. Need to use some of these ideas for my own life.

[Roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read! As a psychology student I have always been fascinated with how the body works with happiness!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Zeina Aldarra · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Your Body Knows About Happiness
3.5⭐


"Happiness isn't just a state of mind. It's also a state of body."

I rarely read these kind of books but this one got me intrigued because it tackles that our is as much as responsible as your brain maybe even more and how when we express an emotion our body reacts first then our brain starts interpreting what's happening and act accordingly.


You will find tips and strategies along the way to help you know your body in a new way which hopefully you will find helpful as I did.
Take a chance on this book because it's different and good.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of #whatyourbodyknowsabouthappiness in exchange for my honest review.

Xoxo😘

[Tina Cheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

TL;DR: smile, clean the house, go outside, be touched, exercise, eat good food, go for a walk.

[Mac Millard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good and really changed how I think about my mind and body. Really cool research in this book and might even be at the intersection of research I want to do someday

[Roma Wankhade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay I liked this book. Reinforced ideas I already knew but it’s always nice to hear them again. Mindset and reframing!! Thanks Rudra!

[Katelyn Larson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some good research and notes but easily could have been 1/2 the length

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I assumed this book was by an expert like a psychologist who specializes in treating depression but it’s one of those books where a privileged rich journalist decides to write about something and then talks about herself a lot and interviews various experts. I got really tired of her talking about one of her other books and how many times she’s been interviewed and given speeches, and her endless stories about traveling the world with her husband. I kind of feel like it would be easier to be happy if I went to Paris all the time too.

Each chapter is about some vague idea of how our bodies might trick us into feeling better, like if we sit up straighter we will feel more confident and optimistic. Various other ideas are to spend time in nature, around water, with fractals in our environment, moving, using our senses, etc. Absolutely nothing in here was new to me and it’s mostly just her jabbering on. I really wanted way less chatter and personal anecdotes and simple steps. The very last chapter sort of does that but it’s basically on Monday change your posture, on Tuesday get in nature, etc. I would have been happy with the week of ideas as seven sentences and to have skipped the book, and even then I already do it all anyway.

Sorry, this was a miss for me.

I read a digital ARC of this book for review.

[Athena Wasko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book was an interesting perspective I've never thought about how our bodies know more than our minds and things we can do to trick our minds using our bodies, but it makes total sense. We do collapse inward when we are depressed or sad, and sit up straighter when we are happier and recall happy memories. I never realized how much our bodies our constantly receiving data and trying to connect it to our brain and changing how we think of things! The only thing I didn't like was the constant mention of a previous book that was written by the Author, it almost felt like she was trying to use it for publicity.

[Lori Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Your Body Knows About Happiness is a well crafted and researched book that provides actionable steps towards happiness. The most interesting part, for me, was the information about how fractals create a sense of peace. I have always been fascinated by fractals - maybe this explains why. I have also been doing a lot of work and reading about how to re-wire the brain after trauma. This book provides additional guidance in that area as well as a number of great tools to increase well-being and happiness. I enjoyed this book immensely.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happiness is a body-mind connection. This book explores the surprising ways our physical actions and environment impact our emotions, offering strategies to boost happiness through body awareness and mindful living.

This book does and good job of demolishing the concept of mind-body duality, showing how the body (including the brain) constructs and experiences emotions. The book is informative, thought-provoking, and fun to read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
The idea that our bodies influence our minds more than our minds influence our bodies is an interesting and different take from what we are usually told. I thought a lot of the information in here is definitely worth a read and a discussion. It covers a diverse range of body-related topics from vitamins to prescription meds to our facial expressions.

[Nicole Miao · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧3/5. This book is too long and could consolidate some of the points and illustrations into shorter paragraphs. Also it’s abit too vague for the actually how to make your body feel happy so that it synchronizes to your mentality. I did the audiobook version and it’s not nicely edited with A LOT of coughing and swallowing and drinking water sound 😂… overall a miss but maybe book version could be slightly better.

[Teandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned some interesting things!
Our Body sends the signals that our brains interpret.

Screaming. Punching bag, etc doesn’t calm you down it escalates .
Fake it till you make it.
Botox can help you not feel sad/angry since you are unable to frown.
Noise. Auditory system never shuts off even while sleeping. Quiet is best. Birdlife is associated with improved mental well being.
Moving your body stimulates your mind to be more creative

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched but overly long. Good points but not a lot of new territory.


FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley and apologies - apparently I did not post the review I wrote at the time I completed the book.

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this e-book.
3.5 rounded up. I liked it and there were a lot of interesting facts, but there was a lot of fluff mixed into the interesting bits that made this book feel way too long.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janice Kaplan’s “What Your Body Knows About Happiness” is an extraordinary and thought-provoking book that connects physical well-being with emotional happiness. Having enjoyed Kaplan’s earlier work, especially “The Gratitude Diaries”, I was thrilled to dive into this one, and it exceeded all my expectations.

While on vacation, I found myself reflecting on Kaplan’s insights as I listened to birdsong and gazed out at the serene water views around me. It was remarkable to realize, in that moment, how much my surroundings were enhancing my mood—a concept Kaplan explores with depth and clarity. She delves into the profound ways our physical experiences, from movement to sensory awareness, directly impact our happiness, and her explanations truly resonated.

Kaplan’s signature style—combining cutting-edge science with relatable anecdotes—makes this book a pleasure to read. What I love most about her work, including “The Gratitude Diaries”, is her empowering message: you have the ability to take small, meaningful steps to transform your life. In “What Your Body Knows About Happiness”, she brings that same spirit of positivity and action, showing how physical shifts, like changing your posture or engaging more with nature, can lead to genuine joy.

This book is a powerful reminder that happiness isn’t a distant goal—it’s something we can cultivate in our daily lives. Kaplan’s insights are practical, inspiring, and life-affirming. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone looking to reconnect with themselves and take control of their well-being. It’s a must-read!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly common sense and well-known advice that could have been an article instead of a book. But the few tidbits that were new to me (mostly about the extent of the power of placebo effects and the mind-body connection regarding pain) really made me think.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing ground-breaking but some nice reminders of how to boost your positivity. A frw fun suggestions I’ve not heard before. The author reads it and has a soothing voice. I used this as an excuse to spend time focusing on myself.
🎧

[Sbwisni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5? Lots of easy to understand research and advice…I feel like I need a daily calendar for all the facts and tips 🙃

Listened on audiobook. Saved some money on production…a few places where gulps, swallows, and/or lip smacking pauses gave a little hitch to the experience 🥲

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How easy it is to forget that the body often reacts before the mind. Kaplan reminds us how important it is to have the two work together...

[Chave · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy through the goodreads giveaway.

An interesting read with some tips and ideas along the way on how to get your body to overwrite your brain for a better quality of life.

[Connie]

#GoodreadsGiveaway

[Marling Aguila · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

I am a psychologist and I enjoyed reading this book so much! It is full of insightful scientific findings and practical advice. Totally recommended!

[Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of the information in this book I already knew. I did learn a few new things.

[Anouk Christin · Rating 4 out of 5]

hugging a tree releases oxytocin. and it hugs u back

[Vanessa Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great and uplifting book. 10/10 recommend.

[Nikita · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many good suggestions to consider. Like Malcolm Gladwell, Kaplan pulls points from numerous research projects and puts them together in a thought-provoking book.