Write Yourself Happy: The Art of Positive Journalling

by Megan C. Hayes

Psychologists tell us that writing helps us cope with and recover from depression, anxiety, job loss and even heartbreak. Exciting new research shows that we can flourish further by actively choosing to write about positive emotions. Journaling is a hot trend - for personal expression, creativity, self-actualisation and goal-setting. In Write Yourself Happy, author Megan Hayes shows us how, using positive journaling, we can journal more consciously, writing in a way that engages and promotes our most supportive and life-affirming emotions.This practical workbook demonstrates how to put eight of the most commonly experienced positive emotions - joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, awe and love - to work, helping us not simply to feel better, but to live better.Based on ground-breaking research in positive psychology, and backed up by extensive scientific studies, the book includes practical exercises and case studies to inspire readers to shift their focus, use different words, see the world in a subtly different way - and discover how things go right when we write.Praise for Write Yourself 'The power of positivity comes together with the power of the pen. It is a mighty force for well-being.' - Miriam Akhtar MAPP, Author of Positive Psychology for Overcoming Depression and What is Post-traumatic Growth?'Write Yourself Happy is filled with practical, applied and scientifically proven methods - it offers readers a direct path to increase positivity and sustain happiness. It is the perfect resource for optimal wellbeing.' - Daniel J Tomasulo, PhD, TEP, MFA, MAPP, Psychologist and author of Character Strengths Matter'This book is ideal for anyone who is looking for a creative and uplifting path to happiness. Megan's encouraging tone and fun exercises not only boost your mood but also help you to forge a stronger connection with yourself. I highly recommend the read - and doing each of the writing exercises in it!' - Susanna Halonen, The Happyologist® and author of Screw Finding Your Passion'Forget the pressure to become a perfectionist Photoshop you. Write Yourself Happy is about easing into a reality that already exists and needs nothing more to bloom than pen on paper. Let the scientifically nuanced and reassuring rhythm of your compassionate Sherpa Megan C Hayes steal you away.' - Kristen Truempy, MAPP, Creator of the Positive Psychology Podcast'Megan artfully combines the world of writing with positive psychology producing this guide to 'writing yourself happy'. Written with a delicate balance of scientifically based wellbeing advice alongside an open playfulness that allows the reader to consider and interpret things for themselves. It is thanks to reading this book that my clients, and of course myself, enjoy the many benefits of Positive Journaling.' - Samantha Spafford, Psychologist and Director of Positive Mind Works

Genres: Self Help, Journaling, Nonfiction, Writing, Psychology

223 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2018

Reviews

[Beatriz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review em breve

[Bonnie Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book for only a month, yet in my counseling room I have already recommended it dozens of times.

Journaling is a tried and true 'homework' assigned in the counseling room, but Write Yourself Happy gives it a twist. Instead of purging the hurts and unhappiness, this manual instead asks the journalist to reflect on happiness - helpfully breaking the concept 'happy' down into feelings like 'interest', 'joy', 'pride', 'gratitude', etc. Beyond that, for the journalist who may very well be trapped in a state of misery, Hayes also offers 10 assignments for each sub-feeling, ergo walking the writer through what to write (because coming up with 'happiness' on one's own, particularly when one has been recently hurt or traumatized - or even in a chronic state of depression - can be an insurmountable task).

There is brain science that backs up an exercise such as this; when the mind can refocus on joy/gratitude/interest and the like, it has no choice but to release DHEA - the feel-good hormone we 'bank', then release when we experience a pleasant memory. In the course of releasing DHEA, the brain has no choice but to shut off it's valve releasing Coritisol (the fight-flight-freeze - and HIGHLY CORROSIVE / illness and obesity-inducing hormone).
Beyond that, reflecting on happiness, particularly in a tangible way like journaling, lights up the Reward Pathway (aka 'The Pleasure Pathway) in the brain, eliciting a natural high similar to what is colloquially known as the 'runner's high' achieved from exercise.

In short, there is not a single negative outcome that could occur from following the assignments in this invaluable manual, and every reason to believe it could be 100% helpful to your clients - or to yourself.

5 Thankful Stars!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always interested in books that offer journalling techniques and I was equally impressed that the ideas from this book come from psychology research. As an avid writer I did find that this book gave me a fresh perspective on just changing the way that I write about things, particularly by focusing more on the positive rather than negative.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like it laboured the point and was repetitive. I agree with a lot of the ideas expressed but for this many pages, I expected more depth or practical advice.

[Sofia K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is not a bad note. The book is true to its title and proposes some good practical ideas to how to write with positive emotions. It can actually be a great start for people who go into the journaling!
I just didn’t feel that it gave me something more than what I already I knew having read multiple books on positivity.

[Bianca Nagac · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great meditation for everyone, whether you're a writer or intimidated by writing. This book sends out positivity and how to absorb the goodness of everything around us in little yet life-changing ways.

[Nolwenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really glad to have picked this book to help me create a shift in my daily journal writing. The thing I love the most, I think, is how Megan C. Hayes incorporates concrete studies about what she's sharing. I'm someone who needs to understand why things are suggested so this helped me even more.

[Sybil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking forward to putting these practices into my journaling.

[Lina Slavova · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book! More detailed review to follow.

[Sinead · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing prompts were the best part of the book though they are a little repetitive. Overall not a bad book for guidance in journaling.

[Elena (bookinistka) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried to dilligently follow but in the end gave up on love. It was too forced and too woke. Kind of interesting but failed experiment.

[Sidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great journaling prompts!