10 Keys to Happier Living

by Vanessa King

'Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions' The Dalai Lama, patron of Action for Happiness. Vanessa King, positive psychology expert for Action for Happiness has created 10 key evidence-based actions that have been shown to increase happiness and wellbeing - at home, at work and in the world around you. If you have read The Art of Happiness , The Happiness Project or Sane New World , this book will be the perfect complement.

We all want to be happy but what does that actually mean and what can we do in our everyday lives to be happier? Fortunately, psychologists, neuroscientists and other experts now have evidence of what really makes a difference and helps us to be happier and more resilient to life's ups and downs.

In this book, Vanessa King of Action for Happiness has drawn on the latest scientific studies to create a set of evidence-based practical actions. They will help you connect with people, nurture your relationships and find purpose. You'll get ideas for taking care of your body, making the most of what's good and finding new ways to stimulate your mind.

So here are the 10 Keys to Happier Living - ideas, insights and practical actions that you can take to create more happiness for yourself and those around you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Personal Development

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2016

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A group of early positive psychology scientists formed Action for Happiness in the UK. They established Ten Keys to Happier Living with the acronym "GREAT DREAM." GREAT DREAM stands for (1) Giving: Do Things for Others; (2) Relating: Connect with People; (3) Exercising: Take Care of Your Body; (4) Awareness: Live Life Mindfully; (5) Trying Out: Keep Learning New Things; (6) Direction: Have Goals to Look Forward To; (7) Resilience: Finding Ways to Bounce Back: (8) Emotions: Looking for What's Good: (9) Acceptance: Be Comfortable With Who You Are; and (10) Meaning: Be Part of Something Bigger.

[Richard Tubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Practical guide on how to be happy

I read this book after finding the “Action for Happiness” website through a friend.

While I consider myself a very happy chap, I found this book a great read - both from the perspective of reinforcing some of the habits I’ve built into my life (meditation, journaling, etc) that I believe help with happiness, and to see the interesting research that the author has collated around how you can be happier.

This book offers a lot of practical, easy to follow advice on techniques to be happier. Much of it would seem common sense, but for many, they simply aren’t doing it - so this book offers steps on how to build the habits and routines that bring happiness.

This will become my “go to” recommended book for anyone wanting to have a happier life!

[Abdurrahman AlQahtani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book indeed! It took me so long to read it, not because it is difficult or boring, but quite the contrary. I found it insightful and needed to stop every now and then to scribe a thoughtful note, or complete an exercise, or simply branch out reading an article or another book referenced in its chapters.

The book simply makes sense, and defines happiness as 10 keys shorten in GREAT DREAM: Giving, Relating, Exercising, Awareness, Trying out (i.e. learning), Direction, Resilience, Emotions, Acceptance, and Meaning. It is practically 10 mini-books in one volume, and you can read each chapter/key on its own. The author does her best to connect the keys, and they are connected, but yet you still can deal with each one on its own.

The book is backed with research and science, though I wished the author cited the references inline instead of referencing the name of the authors or piling them up at the end of the book.

I highly recommend reading it.. and be ready to immerse yourself in its ideas and activities!

[Leslie Hanshew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book had a ton of great, practical advice, but it was too much! In my mind anyone who is interested in self-help isn't going to pour through a War and Peace sized book to get it. I appreciate all the research, but the tips and suggestions and advice were overwhelming. Most folks find one aspect of their lives a challenge to work on and this book seems to suggest it's best to tackle the whole enchilada.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is its structure. It breaks down a wealth of content into easily digestible chunks. 10 key happiness principles are discussed. For each, the author discusses the scientific evidence behind the principle, pause points to reflect on your own experiences related to the principle and practical activities to try to apply the principle in your life. Handy summaries at the end of each chapter capture the main points.

I found the scientific discussions interesting but a bit heavy at times so I mainly focused on the personal reflections, activities and summaries. Perhaps the best piece of guidance I found was that by accepting or asking for help from others you improve their happiness. I always thought they'd find it an inconvenience. So I'm finding more ways to take up the offer of assistance rather than relying on myself most of the time.

I can see this becoming a useful point of reference in my life. A really good book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some super ideas and strategies related to happiness.
I am an optimistic, happy person - but you can never be TOO happy, right? So some additional strategies are appreciated for me to recognize and practice behaviors that enhance happiness.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has been around a while and much has been written and shared about happiness since then. If this is your first foray into reading about happiness, it's an excellent guide, but if you've already been exposed to lots of information on the topic, you might not find much that's new.

I read it mainly to get more familiar with the philosophy of the non-profit group Action for Happiness, http://www.actionforhappiness.org/

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway. This book contained a lot of information, and some very interesting/helpful tips and activities. At times though, it seemed almost too much-- I felt like I was taking a course on happiness. Definitely better if broken down into chunks.

[Jenny Mitcham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this after seeing a talk by the author at work. It’s a good book and very easy to read. There are a few things in there to think about. I’m using it to help set some New Years resolutions for 2019!

[Sara Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a CBT recommend. Best read slowly, one chapter at a time.Lots to digest but a great insight and a go back to book to remind yourself. Good tasks and reminders.

[Francisco Machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long and comprehensive review of the science behind happiness. 10 chapters each dealing with a core element of how to live a happier life. This is not a do these 5 things and you will be happy but a through review of psychological research with activities that can help the reader identify how to improve their mental well being. There is almost too much information. I wish I had read it when I was younger.

[Luke Gompertz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is subtly life-enriching, and I was surprised at how good the example activities were at getting me to think... even though I didn't do any of them! Unfortunately it doesn't fit the chosen medium all that well: when read through it uses more prose than necessary and lacks anything inspirational or philosophical you might expect.

[Jacky González · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro de psicología con buenos consejos para el día a día.

[Liz Longworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thought provoking, easy read with practical ideas to help live a happier life. Would recommend to all as there will be something for everyone. A good reflection tool.

[Dyamar Cruz Durand · Rating 3 out of 5]

¡Tremenda temática! Es un buen libro para que cada quien se ponga como prioridad en su vida y lleve la misma de manera próspera. Sin embargo, encontré el libro ¡bastante repetitivo! Constantemente se repiten los mismos contextos y temáticas, al igual que el vocablo. Mentiría si digo que no me aburrí en varias ocasiones. De todos modos, me sirvió para tener un visión clara de cómo quiero llevar mi vida y para poner mis prioridades en mejor orden.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Excelente libro para todo aquel que quiere vivir feliz!

[Joe Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting informative book about happy living.