Creating & savoring positive experiences

In "Hardwiring Happiness," Rick Hanson, Ph.D. provides an easy and actionable "recipe" for giving positive experiences greater weight to enable an ongoing sense of peace and contentment. I'd learned of Dr. Hanson's books based on my interest in meditation and his articles about the benefits of using meditation in his psychology practice. I chose to listen to this book when I realized I'd become so focused on worries about loved ones' health issues that I wasn't appreciating happy events as much as I would normally.

Dr. Hanson's approach focuses on identifying (or creating) positive experiences and then extending and reinforcing the good feelings those experiences evoke. Wait, isn't this just taking the time to smell the roses? Absolutely, but it's all too easy to overlook stopping to savor positive experiences when one is feeling especially busy or preoccupied with day to day concerns... and not taking the time to savor positive experiences actually reduces one's ability to cope with stresses as they arise. I listened to the audio version in order to benefit from the guided meditations included within, and also picked up the kindle ebook as a handy reference. The author narrated the audio version and I found listening to his observations helpful in reinforcing the concepts he shared.

I recommend "Hardwiring Happiness" to anyone who feels they aren't appreciating life's gifts as much as they'd like, and wants to take effective steps to more fully savor the good.

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Like a therapy session while I'm on the move.

Would you listen to Hardwiring Happiness again? Why?

Yes, I would and am listening to it again. I went through the book quickly the first time to get a feel for if this book could be helpful to me. Now, I am going back to more carefully take in the information. I can imagine going back over parts even a 3rd and 4th time in the future.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hardwiring Happiness?

The general concept of taking in positive experiences, although it sounds and is simple, in today's world, it does not come automatically. Knowing that taking in experiences can benefit my brain and my well being gives me incentive to make the effort.

Any additional comments?

I heard the auther speak on a Jillian Michaels podcast. I found his line of thinking interesting. It is what prompted me to sign up for audible.com. But, before purchasing this audio book, I read a few of the reviews which sounded quite negative. It gave me pause before ordering. I'm glad that I gave it a try despite the negative reviews. The information is valuable to me in my life at this time. -- Not ignoring the bad, but more fully appreciating the good. Taking just a few extra seconds in my day to take in the positive and make it a part of me.

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Definitely a Good LIsten!

Any additional comments?

I listened to the Audible version of Hardwiring Happiness, which was narrated by the author, Rick Hanson. The book included a lot of familiar background material that provided new insights, as well as a good review of psychology 101. I have mixed feelings about listening to the audio version. Hanson’s narration was excellent and it was helpful to just be able to listen and do the meditations. His reading of the practice exercises made them very easy to follow. However, I did miss seeing the charts that were included and may actually check the book out of the library, so I can review them. I think the ideal way to do this book would be to have both the audio and hard copy available. It was definitely a valuable listen and might be even more so if read.

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Interesting, but not great

I was hoping this book would have gone into the neuroscience of happiness in more depth. If you are not familiar with the practices of staying present, working through emotional blocks, and already doing guided meditations, I'd imagine the majority of the content in this book would be hard to put into practice as a novice. Good ideas here, and maybe the charts in the physical book are more helpful, but there was a lot of, "Just do X...", statements throughout the book that oversimplify the hard work it takes to actually rewrite unhelpful thought patterns and focus on the good. Additionally, the narration was too slow. I had to speed the book up quite a bit or it was too hard to listen to. However, the author does have a calming voice.

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Be the change you want to see in the world

We all have a responsibility to be the best that we can be so that we can do the best for others. This book helps us accomplish that.

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Not as scientific as it sounds

Hardwiring Happiness is not about brain science. It has very little to do with that topic. It is mostly about self-hypnosis and guided meditation.

I purchased this book thinking that I would find scientific explanations about our sensation of happiness as it relates to exercise, nutrition, habits, experience, the weather, etc. What I found was a long, drawn-out version of the theory of positive thinking interspersed with eastern meditation. Do not misunderstand; I actually agree with the idea of positive thinking to some degree. I certainly understand that it matters what you choose to focus on - and this is the author's point. I take issue with the marketing of this book as "the new brain science." I didn't find much science.

There is some science (very little, but some) scattered throughout, but the meditation mysticism takes over everything and was not adequately addressed in the description of the book. The author is leading readers into guided meditation without admitting that he is doing so. I would not have purchased this book had I known that to be the case.

The only good thing that I can say is that the author is right that, at least to some degree, we choose our thoughts and we choose how to focus our thoughts. However, I choose not to be drawn into eastern meditation, and the author's real intent should have been disclosed.

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Fantastic

The science works. The last chapter is worth listening to every week. Loved the book. It does go a little slow but I liked it as almost a meditation exercise

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lots of great brain tools!

this book some great tools for changing the way you think and see the events in your life.

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Fantastic Book!

Would you listen to Hardwiring Happiness again? Why?

Yes, and I have multiple times!

What did you like best about this story?

the positivity and incorporation of evidence based theories.

Which character – as performed by Rick Hanson – was your favorite?

n/a

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

yes, laugh, cry, happy, sad, etc.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book a must buy.

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brain-based advice.

Good reader: Himself! Good background on how the brain gets stuck and how to train it by taking in the good. Develop productive habits of thought at any age, thanks to its innate plasticity.

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