Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way

by Dan Buettner

What makes us happy? It's not wealth, youth, beauty, or intelligence, says Dan Buettner. In fact, most of us have the keys within our grasp. Circling the globe to study the world's happiest populations, Buettner has spotted several common principles that can unlock the doors to true contentment with our lives. Working with leading researchers, Buettner identifies the happiest region on each of four continents. He explores why these populations say they are happier than anyone else, and what they can teach the rest of us about finding contentment. His conclusions debunk some commonly believed Are people who have children happier than those who don't? Not necessarily—in Western societies, parenthood actually makes the happiness level drop. Is gender equality a factor? Are the world's happiest places to be found on tropical islands with beautiful beaches? You may be surprised at what Buettner's research indicates. Unraveling the story of each "hotspot" like a good mystery, Buettner reveals how he discovered each location and then travels to meet folks who embody each particular brand of happiness. He introduces content, thriving people in Denmark, in Singapore, in northeastern Mexico, and in a composite "happiest place in America." In addition, he interviews economists, psychologists, sociologists, politicians, writers, and other experts to get at what contributes to each region's happiness, from the Danish concept of hygge, which translates to creating a feeling of coziness, to the Mexican love of a good joke. Buettner's findings result in a credible, cross-cultural formula and a practical plan to help us stack the deck for happiness and get more satisfaction out of life. According to Buettner's advisory team, the average person can control about forty percent of his or her individual happiness by optimizing life choices. These aren't unreasonable demands on a person's lifestyle, and they often require only slight changes. They fall into three categories that make up the way we live our the food we eat, the way we exercise, and the social networks we foster. It's all about nourishing the body and the spirit. Heeding the secrets of the world's happiness all-stars can help us make the right choices to find more contentment in our own lives and learn how to thrive.

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

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 19, 2009

About the author

National Geographic Explorer Dan Buettner has traveled the globe to uncover the best strategies for longevity.

Reviews

[Daniel Clausen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading a book on happiness is a great way to remind yourself how to be happy.

The book doesn't offer any advice that is beyond the realm of common sense: spend time socializing with others, get good sleep, find a job you love, and live in a place that is fantastic.

There were a few tidbits I thought were easy to forget: living someplace fantastic and being around fantastic people beats having a lot of money; random acts of kindness helps us be happy; volunteering is good for the soul. There was also the suggestion to keep a gratitude journal! Okay, that makes sense -- write down all the things that you have to feel good about.

Here's another important one: don't marry a negative person!

The book is not a great one. In fact, it can't be. Like other books of journalism, it's based on a spectator's eye, a small random sample of interviews, and second-hand reference to experts.

That doesn't mean it's not an enjoyable book -- it is! But it can't be the final word on happiness. No book can...and the book readily admits that there are a million others in what has come to be known as the "happiness" field (which makes up not just works of journalism, but also, spiritual books, self-help slop, but also academically robust statistical studies).

Still, if you're reading this at work, it can be a great escape. You don't get to see the entire world of happiness, but you do get to see glimpses of such great places as Denmark, Singapore, Mexico, and San Luis Obispo. If you're at work, this book can be a great source of escapism. It will make you happy!

But a really honest book on happiness might not be as cheerful as this book. For example, at the same time as I was reading this book, I came across this insight in Reinhold Niebuhr's book The Irony of American History (I was reading that book for a completely different reason):

"Happiness is desired by all men, and moments of it are probably attained by most men. Only moments of it can be attained because happiness is the inner concomitant of neat harmonies of body, spirit, and society; and these neat harmonies are bound to be infrequent. There is no simple harmony between our ambitions and our achievements because all ambitions tend to outrun achievements. There is no neat harmony between the conscious ends of life and the physical instruments for its attainment, for the health of the body is frail and uncertain. . . There is no neat harmony between personal desires and ambitions and the ends of human societies no matter how frantically we insist with the eighteenth century that communities are created only for the individual."

If these neat harmonies are so infrequent, then we also need to ask the question: is happiness the enemy of resilience. After all, a little bit of tragedy and hardship tempers the soul against greater hardships to come. And we can't control all the elements that make us happy.

One of the points the book makes is that where one lives greatly influences our level of happiness. But what if we can't influence this reality? What if we are in the military or sent by our company somewhere to do the kind of work that demands grit and determination? Indeed, I've had the experience of living in one place really great for four years only to move to another place for several years that was not as great to further my career ambitions. It was tough! And if I'm honest, I would say my happy years in paradise weakened my ability to thrive in the harsher environment.

Since this book is essentially a light read, meant to be fun and entertaining, it avoids some of these hard philosophical questions -- perhaps that's why the book is such a pleasant place to visit (especially at work).

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blue Zone - in the first book a blue zone was an area in which people, communities etc. lived a significantly longer life than other places/people and Nat'l Geographic and Dan Buettner studied that.

This is a follow up book and the Blue Zones in this book that are being studied are those areas in the world where happiness is significantly higher than normal. The study tries to determine why and then take those outcomes and turn them into something that you could apply in your life.

I really enjoyed this book, it's my kind of non-fiction which means I not only learned something but I was entertained along the way. It doesn't help that I was predisposed to probably liking this book as I have an interest in what makes people happy and how can people attain a prolonged state of happiness.

I wouldn't say it's a book for everyone but there are a fair number of people who I think would enjoy this book if it's the kind of book you enjoy (did that make any sense?).

[Jesse Cozean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studies on happiness always fascinate me, primarily because of how wrong we typically are about what makes us happy. Dan Buettner's idea, to find and study some of the happiest places on earth, is a unique look at what factors affect our moods and, ultimately, our lives.

One of the biggest takeaways from the book is that there are many roads to happiness. Buettner finds thriving communities in a culture that Americans would consider totalitarian (Singapore), socialist (Denmark), and Third-World (Mexico). Happiness was derived from a sense of security provided by a social safety net, or the hope of upward mobility. Family ties are very important, except that residents of San Luis Obispo are extraordinary happy and most of them have moved to the town later in life, leaving behind extended family.

The one drawback is perhaps inevitable in a book that focuses on communities - it doesn't have a whole lot to say to individuals. Buettner does his best to rectify this with "Lessons Learned" at the end of each chapter and a closing that provides additional information for individuals. Many of the points remain cultural- or region-specific. There is no way for me, short of changing countries, to take advantage of a strong social safety net and a community that trusts it's government - key ingredients, according to Buettner, in Denmark's happiness levels.

All in all, Thrive was a well-written, interesting account of happiness across cultures. It should be required reading for politicians and city planners, but doesn't speak as directly to individual sources of happiness as I would have liked. Or, perhaps the real issue is that I didn't like the answer he found - that where you live is the single most important factor. As Buettner concludes,

More than any other factor, including income, education, and religion, the place where you live determines your level of happiness. As one study suggested, for example, if you're an unhappy person in Moldova...you're more likely to get a boost by moving to Denmark than you would be by staying put and winning the lottery, marrying the person of your dreams, or earning a PhD.

Pretty tough medicine for those of us unwilling to uproot our lives for a "Blue Zone" destination. I guess we'll have to settle for buying lotto tickets, searching for a dream girl, and being called "Doctor."

Jesse Cozean
Author of My Grandfather's War

[Deana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take-aways include: the kind of friends you have are important (he literally wants you to make a list of your friends and rank them from happiest to unhappiest...spend time with the happiest ones. I totally agree, although put like that, ouch), money doesn’t make you happy (although being destitute makes you unhappy), buy a cheaper house than you can afford, live somewhere that is pedestrian-friendly, work hard but not THAT hard, and get a hobby! Also call your mom and go to church if you’re into that. No huge shockers here (and some grossly unscientific generalizations, like his suggestion to hit happy hour every day after work! Ummm...no), but some good actionable advice for setting up life in a way that makes you happy.

[Amie Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that make you take notes and make you want to look more into people places, things cultures and this book has all of that. It has also created my travel list for the future visiting all the happiest places on earth. The author takes the info he shared from the blue zone areas examining specifically the happiness piece and it is so interesting.
One quote I loved, “We believe that the rich person is not necessarily the one with a lot of money. It’s the one that has a lot to be grateful for. Nature, the company of other people, the capacity to enjoy a good book, and an understanding of philosophy. The more things in which you develop a fondness, the richer the life you live.” - this is from Denmark.

From Singapore, “Happiness = the ability to live up to your values”

[Ayesha Ratnayake · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who loves reading about happiness, I enjoyed Buettner's account of life in some of the happiest places on earth. While I had read many of the insights before, from cutting back commutes to practicing hobbies, a few were new to me. For example, the relationship between happiness and having a job while in high school, and the role mums play in giving their kids hope for a richer future. Here's to happiness - reading about it, writing about it, and experiencing it everyday!

[Lauren Van Gerven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot. I like how the author went out to prove an hypothesis without ever getting too academic about it. (Guess the topic made that easier, but still) It was a very pleasant read while also being informational. Interesting how certain things encourage happiness in some cultures while in other cultures people might be indifferent to the same factors.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would actually give this book 3 1/2 stars.

This is a National Geographics book written about some of the happiest places in the world--Denmark, Singapore, Monterrey, Mexico and San Luis Obispo, California--and what makes them happy. A great book to listen to on my way home from work for a few days when I wanted a mind break but still wanted something enriching.

I appreciated the mix of both the quantitative and qualitative or anecdotal research provided from top psychologists and social scientists. While there were no huge revelations concerning happiness, it was fun to hear what research says brings happiness and how happy people are living in different circumstances all around the world.

A few interesting tidbits (and I clearly took more notes towards the beginning of the book which began with Denmark than I did towards the end):
--People in Denmark get 7 weeks of vacation each year and shorter work hours than the U.S.
--From an interview in Denmark: "We believe that the rich person is not necessarily the one with a lot of money. It's the one who really has a lot to be grateful for--nature, the company of other people, the capacity to enjoy a good book, and an understanding of philosophy. The more things for which you develop a fondness, the richer the life you live. We're in the business of cultivating these fondnesses."
--30% of Danes volunteer
--"The American system is good for productivity but not for the soul. The Mexican system is good for the soul but not for productivity."
--In Mexico, 80% of people polled believe in God, and about 1/2 of respondents went to church at least once a week. This subset was the happiest people.
--Research shows the married people are happier than single people and people are in the best moods when they are with people as opposed to being alone. 42% of married couples described themselves as very happy as opposed to 17% of people who are divorced and 23% who never married. Of course being in a bad marriage has shown to cause a high amount of unhappiness.


In general, people are the happiest when the seek a good work-life balance (with particular mention to a shorter commute), serve, find a strong sense of community, have strong family relationships, have religion in their life, and spend time outside. Not a huge shocker, but validating of things I already knew.

[Jeffrey May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way by Dan Buettner is an “interesting” read, but lacks the narrative drive and cohesiveness that I tend to look for in nonfiction regardless of topic. I haven’t read his first book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer, so I may have been at a disadvantage; that is, not knowing what to expect. A “blue zone” is a place (demographic or geographic) where people live measurably longer lives.

I found the book oddly formatted, seemingly designed to maximize page length. For example, the “leading experts” are listed in chapter one, then questions about happiness are asked of each expert. As you might expect, you get some repetition, and since these experts are not writers, you get some fairly banal answers. “The word ‘happiness’ means many things.” That’s not to say that some of their responses aren’t interesting, just that the answers should have been heavily edited and weaved into the narrative, which consists of four separate travelogues in search of happiness.

The travelogue chapters, about 170 pages, are entertaining and worth reading, carrying the reader to four unexpectedly happy places – despite the often repetitious “lessons” at the end of each chapter, and the page-hogging big-font random facts at the bottom of pages. Chapter six “Lessons in Thriving” echoes the previous lessons, but isn’t too bad as a sort of checklist for choosing a place to live. A “Special Bonus Chapter” is tacked on, a 25-page excerpt from The Blue Zones.

[Maria]

I saw the author speak at a conference on "Blue Zones", which was interesting, but the subject of happiness interested me more than longevity (although they are related), so I've only read Thrive, not Blue Zones. His approach is similar, he travels to 4 locations, in this case Denmark, Singapore, Mexico and an American town between LA and San Francisco. He speaks to experts, spends time with residents and draws out qualities of the lifestyle, the culture, the community's values, as well as the location that come together to creating a "thriving" community. On the whole the outcomes are not hugely surprising, but I found the way in which these qualities manifest itself in the very different communities to be quite interesting. The final chapter is about creating an environment in your own life where these qualities manifest itself, he calls them "nudges". It made me reflect on living in HK, working in the industry that I do & the way in which fundamentally these do not embody the qualities of thriving communities - it also made me realise the modifications I've made over time in my life which as it turns out looks to create some of these qualities in an environment which otherwise doesn't possess it. It's universal & can be created in any context, although clearly it's easier if you belong to a culture or community that embodies these qualities. It's an interesting & easy read, I'd recommend it.

[Douglas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Who wouldn't want to live a long happy life. I gleaned a lot from the authors other books about longevity, but this volume ends up promoting a utopian ideal that would only result in a big controlling government.

I enjoyed reading about elderly farmers climbing hills, drinking wine, working in the fields. But I will focus on his American chapter on San Luis Obispo, California.

He neglects to tell you that this is an incredibly beautiful coastal town that makes one happy just showing up. And it is a university town with all the extra coffee shops, indie theaters, concerts and young energy most college towns have.

But instead he dwells on laws against drive thru fast foods, against smoking and laws against working too many hours. More and more rules by a ruling class that has too much time and needs to meddle in other folks lives.

Yet this is where we are heading. In the name of health and longevity, we will be forced to eat, exercise and live exactly the way the over educated know-it-alls want. But, of course, they're just looking out for you.

Excuse my vehemence, but this book supports the philosophy that will inspire more and more behavior police.

I was once lectured that I should keep my cats inside, as it is statistically proven they will live longer. Great, if we all stay inside the rules, we can all live a bland long life too.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting and eye-opening, although quite frustrating at the same time. The first part of the book explores 4 of the happiest places on earth (which the author refers to as "happiness blue zones"): the Jutland Peninsula of Denmark, Singapore, Nuevo León, México, and San Luis Obispo, California. Through interviews with various people in each location, he puts together a hypothesis/case study of what makes the people living there so happy. The second part of the book focuses on how to apply his happiness findings to one's own life. The frustrating part of this book is that a lot of the things that appear to contribute to most people's happiness seem to be things like a high employment rate, economic freedom, tolerance, quality of government, status equality, safety, etc. Most of these things are not in the average person's control, which made me feel like I needed to move to Denmark in order to achieve an optimal level of happiness in my life. Other suggestions are less frustrating, such as volunteering, participating in hobbies, owning a pet, meditating, etc. Overall, I found this book intriguing and informative, even if I'm not able to apply a lot of it to my own life. Definitely worth reading!

[Sherry (sethurner) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The husband of a college friend recommended this title, and that is the main reason I decided to read it. To my surprise, I was interested and engaged in the book. This isn't a scientific paper, but rather an interesting overview aimed at the general reading public, of some of the things that make people around the globe report that they are happy. The first chapter sets up the goals of the book, and details who collected the data. The middle part of the book looks at four different areas (Denmark, Singapore, Mexico, and San Luis Obispo, California)and analyzes what seems to make those people happy and thriving. The last part of the book extrapolates some of the lessons from this quartet of examples, and suggests some general ways that people all over the USA might make some changes in order to find life happier and more fulfilling. There is also a bibliography for people who want to explore the topic further. I may well do some more reading on this popular topic.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Costa Rica is first and Denmark second in the list of top 10 happiest countries listed in the book. The others are Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Mexico, Norway, Canada, Panama and Sweden. US is number 20. As with his book Blue Zones that explored longevity, Buettner provides great information on happiness here. As I read this book August 20, 2016, we in the US were being bombarded with all the ugly political campaigning. This quote from Buettner seemed particularly apropos: "Fair legal institutions, lack of corruption, trustworthy legal systems, and a strong democratic process all promote higher levels of happiness in a nation." I guess that explains why the US is not in the top 10!

[Healthypedia · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you find true happiness? Discover how to achieve your full potential through the habits of the happiest nations in the world.

Scientists and philosophers were questioning the stem of happiness for centuries. Despite the myriad trials, the answer seems nowhere to be found. However, what they have definitely discovered is the benign effect of happiness and fulfilment on a person’s life and longevity. Interestingly, happy men and women can live 16 years and 23 years longer respectively, when compared to unhappy people.

For the purpose of unveiling the secrets of happiness, a National Geographic Fellow – Dan Buettner – travelled the world and wrote a book ‘Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way’. In this review, we will dwell on Buettner’s extensive research that challenges our understanding of happiness and figure out what are the key life habits that will help us cultivate genuine joy in our lives.


Author’s background

Dan Buettner is a National Geographic Fellow, journalist, and bestselling author who has contributed to the field of longevity by discovering the Blue Zones – areas in the world where people showcase exceptionally long lifespans.

Dan spent over ten years travelling the world and studying Blue Zone to discover the secrets of their longevity. He has put the experience into a variety of books, including ‘The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer’, ’Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way’, ’The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People’. All of them became national bestsellers.

Dan Buettner collaborates with governments and insurance companies to introduce Blue Zones Projects in various settings. These projects aim to improve well-being in local environments, policies, and social networks by using the Blue Zones insights. More than 5 million Americans have experienced life improvements due to these initiatives.


What is the book about?

‘Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way’ begins with a chapter delving into the concept of happiness, exploring its measurement, its perceived value, and its potential contagiousness, featuring insights from a range of experts.

Subsequent chapters focus on four distinct locations that have been identified by researchers as leaders in happiness: Denmark, Singapore, Mexico, and San Luis Obispo. It was reassuring to encounter stories of individuals from diverse backgrounds, professions, and family lives, residing in different countries, all thriving in their own unique ways. For instance, in Denmark, citizens willingly pay relatively high taxes, appreciating the extensive support provided by their government, including exceptional education, healthcare, and other services. Singapore residents adhere to numerous rules and face strict discipline, but they find security and success in coexisting with people from various cultural backgrounds. In Mexico, where financial resources are limited and corruption is prevalent, individuals derive happiness from their religious beliefs and family life. In San Luis Obispo, happiness appears to be ingrained in the city itself, evident through subtle signage, bicycle-friendly infrastructure, and the community’s dedication to creating an excellent living environment.

The final chapter, ‘Lessons in Thriving,’ provides practical guidance on building happiness without constant conscious effort. While some lessons may require significant commitment, such as moving to a quiet neighbourhood or limiting work hours, others, like gardening and volunteering, are more accessible.


Key takeaways from ‘Thrive’

1. There are multiple roads to happiness

The book recognises that true happiness can be achieved through different paths. Buettner finds thriving and fulfilled communities in countries that vary significantly in their historical and financial backgrounds as well as political systems.

Happiness in these places stems from factors such as the presence of a social safety net or the prospect of upward mobility. Buettner also showcases that strong family bonds contribute significantly to happiness through various examples of people of San Luis Obispo.

Thus, roads to happiness may differ, but what unites them is the health and wellness benefits they bring.

2. The happiest people socialize at least seven hours a day

Buettner underscores the significance of relationships in attaining lifelong happiness, highlighting that the happiest individuals in America spend approximately seven hours a day socialising. He also highlights the positive impact of marriage, noting that being married increases the likelihood of happiness threefold, while each new friend boosts happiness by around 10%.

Additionally, Buettner emphasises the importance of cultivating good relationships in the workplace. He reveals that having a best friend at work is a key factor in job satisfaction, even surpassing the influence of salary. To foster such connections, Buettner suggests taking the initiative to organise social events like happy hours.

3. Experience actually increases the zest for life

The author also points out that we are happier when investing in experiences rather than in possessions. He recommends pursuing interests in sports or the arts, which offer long-lasting satisfaction compared to a single purchase. According to him, the value of an experience can actually increase over time. Learning to play a musical instrument or mastering a new language, for example, can yield benefits for years or even decades.


Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews

Strengths:
• The book is based on extensive research and interviews conducted by the author, Dan Buettner, who applies a methodology similar to his previous work on longevity.
• Gives real-life examples of individuals from diverse backgrounds, careers, and family lives, the book illustrates how people find happiness in various circumstances.
• Provides practical lessons and takeaways that readers can apply to their own lives. It offers actionable steps and insights on building happiness, such as cultivating trust, caring for family and social connections, promoting equality, and fostering a sense of freedom.
• Serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for readers seeking greater happiness in their lives. By sharing stories of individuals who have found happiness in different circumstances, the book instils a sense of hope and encourages readers to pursue their own path to thriving.

Weaknesses:
• Limited focus on individual happiness, with more emphasis on communities.
• Challenges in implementing recommendations tied to specific societal conditions.
• Potential generalisations and stereotypes in portraying happiness.


Best quotes from ‘Thrive’

”More than any other factor, including income, education, and religion, the place where you live determines your level of happiness. As one study suggested, for example, if you're an unhappy person in Moldova...you're more likely to get a boost by moving to Denmark than you would be by staying put and winning the lottery, marrying the person of your dreams, or earning a PhD.”

”I wake up in the morning and I see that flower, with the dew on its petals, and at the way it's folding out, and it makes me happy, she said. It's important to focus on the things in the here and now, I think. In a month, the flower will be shriveled and you will miss its beauty if you don't make the effort to do it now. Your life, eventually, is the same way.”

”Gratitude always comes into play; research shows that people are happier if they are grateful for the positive things in their lives, rather than worrying about what might be missing.”


Final takeaway

‘Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way’ by Dan Buettner is a captivating and enlightening read that offers valuable insights into the pursuit of happiness. This book is highly recommended for individuals who are curious about the factors that contribute to happiness across different cultures and communities. It is ideal for those seeking inspiration and practical guidance on building a more fulfilling and joyful life. Whether you are interested in understanding the role of social connections, trust, or personal growth in happiness, ‘Thrive’ provides a wealth of knowledge and real-life examples to inspire positive changes.

[Kathryn Bashaar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read a little about how people in other cultures live. And amusing in a sad way to read that the main reason Americans are happy is because we have big houses. We seem so shallow compared to the Danes who are happy because they enjoy spending time together in their cozy LITTLE houses. There was some good common sense advice about how to live a fulfilling life. Pretty good book, not great.

[Renee Limon · Rating 3 out of 5]

While not as engaging as the first Blue Zones, it did have some interesting take-aways. One quote made me laugh out loud.. Under the heading "Be realistic about the joys of parenthood": "In fact, women find caring for children less pleasurable than jogging and only slightly more pleasurable than doing the dishes." I'd like to see that in a Mother's Day greeting card.

[Alex Furst · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrive: Finding Happiness The Blue Zones Way by Dan Buettner.
3/5 rating.
Book #7 of 2020. Read February 13, 2020.

This book looks into four different hotspots for happy people and looks at what makes those areas different.

This book was okay, the writing was easy and it was a pretty quick read. Probably the most troublesome part about it is that we basically all know the keys to happiness, but continue to strive for completely different things in life.

Dan's synopsis chapter has some deeper insights, but in general, happy people: - live around other, accepting, tolerant, happy people - are safe in their homes - spend more time outdoors and especially waaay less screen time - enjoy the arts - walk, or bike, or do anything apart from driving everywhere - either have work they enjoy, or at least only work 40 hours/wk and take vacation!!! - are involved socially many hours per day through work, clubs, get-togethers - are happily married - are set financially, or at least don't have huge debts - garden - know their purpose in life - volunteer

Implement a few of these and hopefully you can improve your life and "Thrive" like Dan is advocating.

Quotes:
"Without dreams, without risks, only a trivial semblance of living can be achieved."
"One of the reason we think Danes are very happy is because they are very satisfied with their lives. Which means that life is very good here - or that Danes have very low expectations."
"We believe that a rich person is not necessarily the one with a lot of money. It's the one who really has a lot to be grateful for: nature, the company of other people, the capacity to enjoy a good book, and an understanding of philosophy. The more things for which you develop a fondness, the richer the life you live."
"'We're not rich because we have a lot of money,' he said. 'We're rich because we have few needs.'"
"'You make a choice in life,' he said. 'You either do what you want to do and go wherever that takes you in the world, or you say, "I want to live here, and I'll do whatever it takes to live here."'"
"Online social networks and the ever-increasing amount of time we spend watching TV have conspired to keep us in front of flickering screens instead of interacting face to face with other people. Elementary schools focus on teaching job skills rather than the arts, civics, and physical education - activities known to produce lifelong satisfaction. Perhaps the most compelling statistic to come out of recent happiness research is the fact that, during the past 35 years, while Americans have worked to increase our income by 20 percent, and the size of our houses has more than doubled since 1950, we've become no happier as a nation."

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrive is quite a thought-provoking book and an excellent companion read to the Blue Zone longevity materials. However, unlike long life, happiness is subjective and much more difficult to prove (no matter how many surveys are given, nor how much data is drawn). Thus, the skeptic in me had ongoing arguments with the author throughout the pages (even though Buettner did his best to preempt such suspicions).

Still, this is an enjoyable and interesting read that suggests numerous ways in which a community can be shaped to increase the overall contentment of its residents. Buettner also offers practical takeaways for individuals. For example, we are much more likely to get satisfaction from friends with whom we have deep conversations. Even more specific were the statistics indicating that our happiness increases by nine percent for each positive friend that we have. Each additional unhappy friend in our circle reduces our joy by seven percent. How researchers come up with these exact figures, I have no idea, but you get the general idea loud and clear.

Tying this happiness material back into the longevity research are studies that suggest authentic lifelong happiness can add ten years to our lives. As Buettner effectively illustrates with both anecdotes and research, the good news is that there are many different roads to help get us there. Worthy to note is that many of these roads are not ones that we may have initially guessed.

[Ben Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Thrive! Dan Buettner explores some of the happiest places in the world—like Denmark, Costa Rica, Singapore, and Mexico—to figure out what actually makes people happy. It’s part travel, part research, and full of down-to-earth ideas you can actually use.

The big takeaways? People are happier when:
• They live in strong communities
• Spend time with family and close friends
• Move naturally throughout the day
• Trust their neighbors and government
• Have purpose, faith, or a sense of meaning
• Design their environments to support well-being (walkable cities, healthy food, etc.)

It’s not about chasing big dreams or buying more stuff—it’s about shaping your life and surroundings in simple, intentional ways. Some parts feel a little too neat, but overall it’s inspiring and practical.

Great read if you’re into happiness, culture, or just want to feel a little better day to day.

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's no other book like this one that I've come across that talks about Wellness.

I love that the author followed people living in different regions of the world to study how they lived and what contributed to their happiness. The stories were quite interesting in and of themselves.

The book got me to open my mind to what true happiness is. If helped me face the reality of my own life and come to terms with the changes I need to make in order to experience the true happiness that I long for.

____________________
NOTE: I read the authors book 'Blue Zones' earlier this year so I was prepared for the authors l style of storytelling in this book. I also listened to the audiobooks for both books and the author (or whomever read the book) would do different voices for the characters in his stories. It made the stories come alive to me and was entertaining.

[Emil Nuñez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Obviously the message is a good one. Don't just live - thrive. The delivery, however, was lacking. This book is really just a guy interviewing random people from random countries. "Hey, you're poor and your rights are being infringed upon... But you're happy!" or "You're a spoiled brat who gets jealous of others' successes... But you're happy!"

This book was also more of a how-to for City planners and leaders, not everyday folk. It mentions creating walkable towns, giving religious freedom, and supporting the young and elderly. The book's saving grace came at the end, where I got inspired with some healthy foods - plant a garden, bike to work, join a community. Not anything groundbreaking, but always good to hear a reminder.

[Diana-Michaela Shaffner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book examines people's lives in some regions of the world that score highest in surveys on individual happiness. The book does not give how-to advice on what to do to be happy but rather repeatedly boils things down to the fact that what makes people happy is usually not how much money they make or what things they own but rather personal satisfaction, stability, and a sense of purpose in their daily lives. Unfortunately, the book indirectly endorses heavily socialistic governments which may be problematic in many other aspects not discussed in the book. Ultimately though, a book on happiness is in and of itself a happy read and can help the reader reflect on his/her own blessings in life and the many little daily reasons to be happy about.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Dan,

In your book you say "Take 6 weeks of vacation, no matter what."
My boss would fire me if I did. Which probably wouldn't contribute too much to my happiness.

However, that being said, I thought you touched on many things that really do contribute to thriving during your life. I particularly was interested in a point you didn't cover-- the differing medical philosophies of those in Denmark and the US. That wasn't quite the point of your book. I did find it to be a potentially relevant point, though.

Your stats were intriguing and your interviews also. In sum, I thought it was an above average book that just missed a couple of points(see first paragraph).

Keep up the interesting work,

Me

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay, but much of it was common sense. Ultimately, people will be as happy as they allow themselves to be. Yes, certain environmental factors (and psychological factors) can play a role in how happy a person might be (such as dealing with a difficult spouse, living in an oppressive country, physical or mental limitations that can't be overcome) but it is mainly our attitude that determines our happiness. If you are hurting in your life change what you can, accept what you can't, and be grateful for the rest.

In the end I found this (at least in certain respects) to be a mouthpiece for the socialist agenda.

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for a Cultural Perspectives class.

Not the kind of book I would normally pick, but it was a quick and enjoyable read if you enjoy learning about (select) other cultures and parts of the world. Going into it, I was concerned that the book would make outsized claims about how we could guarantee our own happiness, but the author was frank that a big portion of our happiness can be attributed to factors we can't control, like our genetics. I enjoyed the vignettes about what life is like in other parts of the world and what science has found about what we can do to "stack the deck" in favor of happiness.

[Lore BonMD · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reading was easygoing and highlighted points that we lear about life in the Blue zones. I didn’t see novel ideas here but it’s worthwhile to be reminded about positive ideas such as surrounding yourself with positive minded individuals, power of social connection and community, volunteering. I also took advantage of my community and went for a two hour walk with my husband. We took advantage of the beautiful green natural space. Be grateful and maintain a work life balance. You get see how other populations such as Denmark and Mexico handle and prioritize wellness and wellbeing rather than productivity.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting research on 4 vastly different areas that rated very high on the 'happiness scale' identified by Dan Buettner with National Geographic. Although I found the book enlightening, it is still hard to define what makes one area happy and another area not so happy - it could be public support (i.e. high taxes) to create financial equality in Denmark, tough laws on crime in Singapore, religion in Mexico, or community in the small(er) town of San Luis Obispo, CA. Buettner also provides a few action items/tips to help us find happiness on an individual basis at the end.

[Sue Ronnenkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about the Blue Zones after watching the new Blue Zones series on Netflix - and what better topic to dive into than happiness?!! This book is so well written and so reader friendly. Just as happened watching the series, this book walked me through the similarities and differences discovered in areas of the world where happiness reigns. I also learned how I can bring more happiness into my own life as well. This is a book well worth reading. Add it to your reading list now!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if you had a guide outlining the behaviors and actions of the happiest people on Earth? That’s exactly what Dan Buettner's book, Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way, provides. In the book, Buettner presents five case studies from around the world where people consistently report thriving. Interestingly, the priorities of these happy individuals often differ from societal norms. The good news is that most of Buettner’s recommendations are accessible to everyone and include practical suggestions for implementation in any location.