The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled People: 15 Minute Brain Science Hacks to a More Connected and Satisfying Life

by Marcus Warner, Chris M. Coursey

Is joy the icing on the cake of life—or the fuel on which it runs?

Are some people just born happy? Most of us grew up thinking that joy is random and fleeting, instead of something we can actually count on or build our life around. But brain science has revealed that joy is the perfect word to describe the fuel on which our brains run. So how do we live a joy-filled life?

Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey show us how to build habits that fill our lives with greater joy and satisfaction. Based on the latest neuroscience and attachment theory—but written in everyday language—The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled People is practical and easy to comprehend. The authors provide exercises and tools you can put into practice immediately.

Joy is possible. It doesn’t have to be a random experience that catches you off guard now and then. Some of the most joyful people have endured unbelievable trauma.

Joy-filled living expands our world. It makes life an adventure and teaches us to live for what is truly satisfying. Discover the skills and habits you can develop that will enhance your very quality of life.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Christianity

190 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

About the author

MARCUS WARNER (M.Div., Th.M. and D.Min. Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the president of Deeper Walk International. He is a former pastor and college professor who has written several books on topics ranging from how to study the Bible to spiritual warfare, emotional healing, and leadership. Marcus has done training events for organizations such as Navigators, Willow Creek Prison Ministry, and Moody Church. He has traveled the world with Deeper Walk equipping people on the front lines of ministry with practical tools for dealing with root issues that keep people and ministries stuck and unable to go deeper into what God has for them

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Put brain science to use for a joy-filled life!
As both a physician and a prayer minister, I appreciate the information and practical exercises in this book. Put brain science to work to build joy and resilience in your life. Great Book!

[Laura Martínez · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is CRAP: Christian Rambling Anecdotic Paranoia.
It started off well, with some neuroscience and chemistry, breathing exercises... but soon it was just a sum of acronyms, religious mumbo jumbo and quoting Scripture. You know, your average BS.
If you are still willing to read it, just save yourself the trouble and join a cult. I bet it will be far more satisfying.

[Kathryn Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

good points on how to bring joy to your life and stop toxic thought patterns. (Exactly what I need) however there a a few over generalizations that I couldn’t get past: “joy is always relational”- which may I note made me think about Christopher Mccandles from Into the Wild who famously said ‘happiness is only real when shared’ however… I got in my head about this thought maybe I’m not experiencing real joy when I’m alone? But then I think about hiking or skiing or watching Friends and I realize I have joy doing all those things. The other thing in the book I could get past was “we are all born narcissists” - like bruh maybe research narcissism and realize it’s a personality disorder and not something to talk about lightly that we all have…. I think the word you are looking for is selfish lol

That aside
I LOVE JOY GAME
joy
Gratitude
Anticipation
Memory
Experience

And I love the thought exercises this books offers:)

[Ann Gemmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a small but oh so valuable book. So many wonderful insights & practical ideas on how to pursue joy in the midst of the daily of life full of so much “no joy!” This book is one I will return to often and intend to ponder and apply its accessible and practical applications. So much helpful information about brain science.
Amidst the deluge of discouragement in our present days, I realize for far too long, I have allowed other people and circumstances to hijack and steal the joy that God alone has secured for me to live into. Joy is not the absence of sorrows and grief - rather it is a reality that supersedes it! (I Peter 1:6-9)

[kate rehurek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, alright. Here’s the tea on this book.

When you think joy, you think of those annoying people that tell you to write down what you’re grateful for and dismiss the feelings you’re feeling. This book earns a +1⭐️ with me because there ISN’T dismissal, in fact, there are methods to dealing with emotional processing, which earns a +1⭐️. The practical steps listed out earn another +1⭐️, which can be applied to daily life and are reasonable. The last +1⭐️ was given for the examples used; even though most of the examples were of children not knowing how to regulate their emotions, it gives me such a good sense of what to do to help other people.

Warner & Coursey lost a ⭐️ star with me because of the whole Jesus-y & gratitude bit. They sprinkled JUST enough God at the beginning and end of the book to make it “Christian”, then claiming it didn’t matter if you were Buddhist, Atheist, etc. to find joy in your life (my version is page 154). This is where it gets iffy for me, babe. This book is written from a Christian perspective (hence the Bible verses & “calling” at the end of the book), and then you claim that someone’s joy can be increased regardless? Personally, I would have left out the Jesus bits. As a Christian, it did not serve me or benefit me to see this book classified as “Christian”. It was used as a crutch to be the “miracle-worker,” but at the same time, dismissing other forms of joy that may come from other religions.

[hannah ☆ ୨ৎ˚࿔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to @moodypublishers for this joy-filled book!

This is a pretty quick read all about J O Y! The authors love joy and sharing how it can, and should, be our default setting versus a fleeting feeling. They dive deep into how having a joy-filled life makes us more equipped to handle difficult life situations as they arise.

There was a lot of research in this book about how our emotions work along with practical ways to implement activities to make us more naturally full of joy.

As a Christian I did appreciate that they also discussed the true, most important source of joy- Jesus! ✝️ Nothing beats turning to Scripture and the joy it brings.

[Danielle Dammeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book dry and honestly a bit juvenile at times. The subtitle claims that the four habits are “brain science hacks,” but there was very little scientific evidence given. I was expecting a bit more of an academic tone. Many of the anecdotes also just struck me as silly. This could be a potentially helpful read for a middle school or high school student, but I found it to be overly simplistic. I also did not appreciate the way the authors handled Christianity. The offered it as a brief option, not a solution.

[Sean McClure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a decent book although being one who has experienced anxiety and depression the anecdotal advice is quite extensive. Perhaps it’s just me but most of these things I don’t see myself doing like engaging a friend in a round table to talk through problems and solutions. I’m simplifying that, but I can’t imagine asking a friend to walk through these exercises with me, at least with a straight face. There were a couple of things I gleaned out of here but for the length of the book it was not as effective as others.

[Monica Mouer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very helpful addition to the others in the 4 Habits series. There is some detailed information in this little treasure that I learned for the first time and am very thankful for the new insights on how to transform into a more joyful person! Great book!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many acronyms, they defeat the purpose of remembering things! I’ve read all three books in this series, and I found the kids and marriage ones to be much better! I had a hard time finishing this one.

[Heather Meades · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. Tools that can be implemented right away. Easy to read

[Sage Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read!

I loved them material in this book. The exercises are great. The authors do a great job explaining the brain science behind it.

[Fred La Plante III · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to be joyful and how our brain works. Great book.

[Hope Frederick · Rating 2 out of 5]

An okay read, there were some good points. I didn’t like how they said that we were all born as narcissists though 🥴

[Monica Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Uplifting and great exercises to practice regularly. Highly recommend the paperback and not the audible. Get your highlighters and note tabs ready.

[Kim Laraine Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great facts corny exercises and too many acronyms! Still good info and important reminder u cannot choose joy but have to train yourself to identify and develop it.

[Abbey Nieman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, applicable. One I’d like to revisit over & over. Subject matter expertise + storytelling is a powerful & potent combo to deliver on exactly what the book promises.

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just updating my reading list, low rating because I don't remember a single thing from the book. Absolutely my bad.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loooved this book. I read it with a group of friends, it spurred on amazing conversations and the neuroscience piece of this book was SO fascinating. I’ll definitely be reading this again and again.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love acronyms and they are super motivating for you, this book is for you! Lol. Lots of helpful advice for calming your body and living a joy filled life.

[Tiffany Dubas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. So much good stuff. I will be reading this book again.

[Manoj Kakran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Main learnings are:
Joy is essential for emotional resilience and well-being. Joy is not a luxury. It is a necessity. Build a "joy house" through calming, appreciating, storytelling, and attacking toxic thoughts. Calming techniques help regulate emotions and reduce stress. Appreciation grows joy and shifts focus from fear to positivity. Storytelling reinforces positive narratives and emotional resilience.

That's a short and lovely book. It can help .🙂

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent ideas, could probably have been a few pages long at most instead of a whole book.