Happiness 101: Simple Secrets to Smart living & Well-being

by Tim Bono

259 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially began reading this in January after Dr. Bono spoke at my school’s opening institute day. However, I put this book down after one chapter because I wanted to be in a better, calmer headspace to take in and process the information in the book. I just started this back up a few days ago and have really enjoyed and taken a lot from this book. It aligns well with one of my favorite podcasts, Dr. Laurie Santos’ The Happiness Lab, and it affirmed some of the changes I’ve already made pursuing greater happiness and fulfillment, while also providing more research-supported strategies.

Well-written, supported by over 100 studies, and really engaging! (I highlighted SO. MUCH.)

[Skye ☾⭒ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy it & kept pushing trying to keep an open mind. Overall: No new ideas here. Example: essentially telling us how exercise increases dopamine production & being on a team can help you feel part of something. It has a few interesting sections, but geared towards privileged high & middle class humans. It was published in 2018, but I still feel believe there should be more awareness for the genuine struggles people face.

Being happy is not just about shifting your perspective to live well. Yes, it can help, but you can’t think your way out of everything or just delete your social media. I am actually someone that is already pretty good at being able to appreciate little things with amazement. This does not cure my overall unhappiness, because it’s deeper than that, as for most humans.

I think this book would have been stronger had it addressed elements in life that feel suffocating. It felt surface level and rambled too much. I may have just expected it to be more of a therapy book than a self help.

[Linda Bergmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolut nichts Neues, aber gut geschrieben, ausgiebig belegt, mit vielen kleinen Selbsttests und ein sehr guter Reminder, an gewissen Routinen und Prinzipien festzuhalten.

Das Buch bezieht sich hauptsächlich auf Studierende und schließt damit viele Lebensrealitäten aus. Da ich es mir spontan bei einem Besuch an der Uni Yale gekauft habe (wo ich natürlich als allererstes in die Buchhandlung musste), kann ich das in dem Kontext aber „verzeihen“. Es geht allerdings auch viel darum, effektiver produktiv zu sein, Zeit zu managen und zu „schaffen“, was für mich nicht direkt mit Happiness gleichzusetzen ist.

Ich mag dennoch die Prämisse der positiven Psychologie, wenn sie, wie hier, keine erzwungene Positivität predigt. Es sind praktische Tipps (Bewegung, Meditation, Schlaf, etc. - ich mochte vor allem den Abschnitt über Selbstbewusstsein und Scheitern -) und einige Passagen kann ich mir gar nicht oft genug in Erinnerung rufen! 🤝

[Corin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great intro to positive psych! I was fortunate to take Dr. Bono's positive psych course in undergrad, and he truly is an expert in the field. His writing is easy to follow and well written.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was there anything groundbreaking from this book? No, in fact, you can probably ask anyone out there to tell you what can make a person happy and they’ll list similar concepts. It could be to exercise more, be grateful for what you have, meditate, sleep, have social connection with others, etc.

What makes it interesting is to hear the science behind it. There are numerous studies across time and different locations that confirm all these basic things in life. One quibble I have is that as a professor, the author does rely mostly on studies where the population are college students, and even the anecdotes are from that.

Still, sometimes the basics need to be reviewed and reiterated for us to remember. The book has definitely invigorated my zeal to be more grateful with what I have. At the time and age where I’ve taken “dream” trips in consecutive years and I can go to most restaurants I never even dreamt of, how do I sustain to find joy in the “ordinary”? It feels like such a privileged question to ask ourselves, and yet.

So the book is timely and relevant as I imagine it is for everyone, across different ages and life experiences.

[Kelli Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some solid themes and lessons in this book but the last 30-40% focuses a lot on college students and I just felt it wasn’t as beneficial. Some lessons taught in this book that I thought were valuable (and have scientific evidence and research behind them):
- being happy can extend your life
- practicing mindfulness, keeping yourself and your thoughts in the present moment
- looking for the good and practicing gratitude every day
- social comparison and high expectations are the thief of joy
- exercise is one of the best drugs for happiness
- Sitting is the new smoking
- Your brain stores information while you sleep and it is crucial in making you successful at your job and life
- Establishing control of your thoughts
- Journaling can help with ruminating thoughts

[Robert Burch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely recommend to everyone! It’s a quick read that does a great job of balancing anecdotes with scientific studies all presented in an engaging and digestible way! There’s a tip or a few in there for everyone and when you take it to heart it really works.

[Marc Poissonnier · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Some good take aways and reminders surrounded by lots of fluff

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and will come back to it. I took a lot of notes. Includes more than 100 studies.

[mads · Rating 3 out of 5]

all this guy does is repeat himself omg

[allyna timm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good for highschool students, kind of redundant for college students.

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gave up halfway through. Snoozeville!

[Erin Sullivan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't get a ton out of this one. Some things made me feel worse and I got lost/bored with too many references to studies.