The Science of Happiness - by Bruce Hood (Paperback)

About the Book

We all want to be happier, but our brains often get in the way. When we're too stuck in our heads we fail to see the good in our lives. World-leading happiness expert Bruce Hood presents seven simples, but life-changing lessons to re-connect with the things that really matter.

Book Synopsis

Over seven lessons, grounded in decades of studies in neuroscience and developmental psychology, The Science of Happiness tells a radical new story about the roots of well-being, with practical takeaways that show how we can all re-wire our thinking and transform our lives.

The problem with achieving happiness is the way the human mind is designed by evolution to process the world from an egocentric perspective and focus on the threats that might shorten our lives. Socially dependent on others, egocentric children grow into adults who may be less self-centred but end up becoming dissatisfied because we are prone to focus on the wrong information and comparisons when it comes to evaluating our lives.

We need to get out of our heads by connecting with others and the world around us through practices that have proven to make us happier.

Review Quotes

The Science of Happiness is a rare bird--a book that is grounded in the best new science, written with wit and wisdom, and provides clear and valuable lessons for living your best life. Highly recommended!

--Daniel Gilbert, author of the New York Times bestseller Stumbling on Happiness

Do yourself a favor and grab this fantastic guide! The Science of Happiness explains practical strategies for getting out of our own heads and finding more connection, presence, and joy.

--Laurie Santos, professor of Psychology at Yale University and host of The Happiness Lab podcast

This is a wonderful guide to what actually makes people happier--full of wisdom backed by a wealth of scientific evidence. If you want practical ideas that you can use right now to boost your wellbeing, this is your book.

--Robert Waldinger, author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness

When Hood introduced a class called "The Science of Happiness" as a series of lunchtime lectures at the University of Bristol, he was astounded not only by the response but also the increased feeling of well-being displayed by the students who attended these lectures. His seven lessons, spelled out in this book, are a fresh mix of accessible science, common sense, and examples from a variety of countries that make his thoughts both appealing and practical. They include such things as moving away from ego centrism, spurring isolation and negative comparisons, becoming more optimistic, controlling attention, increasing connection with others, and ultimately getting out of our own heads. Each chapter ends with "happiness exercises" including things like starting a journal, random acts of kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, meditation, talking to strangers, and looking at the night sky. Taking a lead from the joy of children, Hood leans toward face-to-face conversations and enjoying nature. In a world filled with cell phones and grim newscasts, the author seems to have found a welcome way to increase much-needed peace and happiness.

-- "Booklist"

About the Author

BRUCE HOOD is an award-winning professor of Developmental Psychology in Society at Bristol University and the author of several books including Supersense, The Self Illusion, The Domesticated Brain and Possessed. He has appeared extensively on TV (including the prestigious BBC's 'Royal Institution Christmas Lectures' in 2011), film (including 'Living in the Future's Past' presented by Jeff Bridges in 2019) and radio, (including the BBC podcast 'The Happiness Half Hour' in 2021). He is a fellow of the American Psychological Society, the Royal Institution of Great Britain and the British Psychological Society.