Hardwiring Happiness: Summary Review

This is a summary review of Hardwiring Happiness containing key details about the book.

What is Hardwiring Happiness About?

"Hardwiring Happiness" by Rick Hanson is a book about the science of happiness and how to create lasting change in the brain. The author argues that through conscious effort, we can rewire our brains to be more resilient, positive, and joyful.

Hardwiring Happiness lays out a simple method that uses the hidden power of everyday experiences to build new neural structures full of happiness, love, confidence, and peace. You’ll learn to see through the lies your brain tells you. The author's four steps build strengths into your brain to make contentment and a powerful sense of resilience the new normal. In just minutes a day, you can transform your brain into a refuge and power center of calm and happiness.'

Summary Points & Takeaways from Hardwiring Happiness

Some key summary points and takeaways from the book include:

* The brain is plastic, meaning that it can change and adapt based on our experiences and thoughts.

* Our brain has a negativity bias, which means that it tends to pay more attention to negative experiences and emotions than positive ones.

* To counteract the negativity bias, we can focus on positive experiences and emotions, and give them time to sink in and be fully experienced in the brain.

* Cultivating gratitude, kindness, and compassion can help create lasting changes in the brain, making it easier to experience positive emotions and thoughts.

* Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, can help calm the mind and create more space for positive emotions and thoughts.

* Engaging in physical activities and exercise can also help boost happiness and improve overall well-being.

* It is important to be aware of and recognize negative thoughts and beliefs, and to actively work to challenge and reframe them in a positive light.

Who is the author of Hardwiring Happiness?

Rick Hanson, PhD is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times best-selling author. His books are available in 30 languages – with over a million copies in English alone.

Book details

• Print length: 304 pages
• Genre: Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help

What are the chapters in Hardwiring Happiness?

Chapter 1. Why. Growing good
Chapter 2. Velcro for the bad
Chapter 3. Green brain, red brain
Chapter 4. How. HEAL yourself
Chapter 5. Take notice
Chapter 6. Creating positive experiences
Chapter 7. Brain building
Chapter 8. Flowers pulling weeds
Chapter 9. Good uses
Chapter 10. 21 jewels

What do critics say?

Here's what one of the prominent reviewers had to say about the book: "Rick Hanson is a master of his craft, showing us a wise path for daily living in this book. Based in the latest findings of neuroscience, this book reveals that if we understand the brain a little, we can take care of our lives a lot, and make a real difference to our well-being. Here is a book to savor, to practice, and to take to heart." - Mark Williams, Ph.D., Professor, University of Oxford, author of Mindfulness

* The editor of this summary review made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any published quotes, chapters, or takeaways. If you want to enhance your personal growth, I recommend checking out my list of favorite personal growth books. These books have played a significant role in my life, and each one includes a summary and takeaways to help you apply the concepts.

Chief Editor

Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.