The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness: A Four-Step Plan for Resilient Living

by Amit Sood MD, Mayo Clinic

Happiness is a habit. For some of us, that habit is a natural inclination; for others, it is a learned behavior. The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness combines wisdom from neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, and spirituality to help you choose contentment. Dr. Amit Sood's actionable ten -- week program has helped tens of thousands of people reduce anxiety and find greater fulfillment in life. Each of the book's four sections is filled with practical insights and easy -- to -- implement exercises. You'll understand why your brain struggles with finding happiness and what real -- world practices can help you to better manage stress and choose peace and contentment instead.

Praise for the Stress-Free Living

"This book can change your life." -- Dr. Andrew Weil

"An important innovative approach to well-being." -- Dr. Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

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

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2015

Reviews

[Chelsea C · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most helpful self help books ever. It is broken down into changing your habits in exchange for better healthier ones a little at a time. The program is 10 weeks. I wish I had bought the journal [if there is one] as I didn't want to write in the charts and what not.

[Jennifer Bueltel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sood, from the Mayo Clinic, has been heavily touted as the leading expert on the planet regarding stress management and anxiety reduction.
His no nonsense approach is not for the faint of heart! If you have the guts and courage to change the course of your life, Sood’s book is for you!

[Holly Scudero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happiness is a state of being that everyone strives to achieve, and it’s easier to get there than most people realize. In just ten weeks, anyone can put themselves on the path to greater happiness with the four-step plan outlined in “The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness.” The book starts with a discussion of the brain’s two basic modes: the active, focused mode when you’re concentrating on something; and the “default” mode, where the mind wanders while you’re doing something else, causing constant anxiety about the past and future. Not surprisingly, the first step of the program is to Train Your Attention, meaning to use various techniques to focus mindfully on the here and now, rather than letting our minds wander to other topics. Steps two, three, and four follow along the same path, helping readers learn to raise their own emotional resilience (by focusing on gratitude and compassion, among other important core principles), offering ideas for starting a mind-body practice (think beyond meditation), and choosing to build habits that contribute to good health. With its friendly, conversational tone, this book is sure to inspire readers to make positive changes in their lives, and the many exercises and guidelines make it possible for anyone to achieve a greater sense of happiness in their own life.

(Review originally written for San Francisco Book Review.)

[Ibrahim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course there are tons of other books that might have more in-depth information and might be be more scholarly, but this book is such charmingly unique: the author communicates like a gifted teacher who uses very simple ideas, humorous words here and there, in order to get across to you the most profound wisdom that Mayo Clinic has to offer. I will be referring to this book more often, and actually translate some of its ideas into Arabic for the benefit of my Arabic speaking friends. I assure you that this book is valuable, if you are patient and willing to see what you can glean from it, and not just pass some judgement because it wasn’t the size of your understanding.

[Marie Zhuikov · Rating 2 out of 5]

Imagine if Mr. Rogers, that bastion of childhood television programming, wrote a self-help book, and you have this one. I quickly became impatient with the simplistic activities and fifth-grade reading level. I skimmed most of it but did pick up a few helpful tidbits. I expected more from a Mayo Clinic physician.

[Stephen Rynkiewicz]

Affirmations are a challenge. "I'm doing my best," I say, but how am I so sure? I feel just as judgmental reading a workbook sequel: The original would have taken more work. So, what to do with an affirmations workbook? Accept it, enjoy it, don't try to improve it. Observe when your attention wanders. Meditate on the fundamentals. Celebrate the author's success.

[Yani G · Rating 3 out of 5]

College...

[John Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a solid book on the 4 steps for happiness. it us very helpful and puts our lives in a more positive perspective.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a well-written and wonderful book. Dr Sood is a kind, brilliant, and generous person.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am very interested in the topic of Happiness and thought a book by the renowned Mayo Clinic would offer valuable insight and/or research into this topic. Sadly neither happened. I felt the book was remedial at best. Can not recommend...actually a waste of my time.

[lan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good workbook that carries some useful skill sets but more tailored to mid-aged audiences. I do not recommend this book for teens since there is too much of "Dream diminishment talk" that tells you to "just be happy".

[Hom Sack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good advice but mostly too prescriptive, simple and touchy-freely.

[Dawn Patton · Rating 2 out of 5]

The theory of the book is good and my be help some people but for my situation it was not the right book.

[Peter Galamaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding resource that provides concrete, science-based steps towards greater personal resilience - and thus happiness. I used this as a textbook with students in my resiliency class.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great tips

[Phillip · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is brilliant. It contains sensible and well-rounded activities to work on for the goal of resilience.

[Andrea B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A useful and practical guide recommended by my therapist. I found it very helpful.