The 12 best books on happiness

Happiness is an aspiration that we all have. So scientists have spent decades trying to figure out what makes people happy and how we can be happy most of the time. Happy people behave in a certain way.

On the other hand, it is a welfare state that has inspired many authors, and It is a topic that many books on happiness deal with and what brings us closer to it.

• Related article: "The 15 common habits of happy people"

Books on happiness totally recommendable

In this article we have prepared a list of books that can help you understand the complex phenomenon of happiness.

1. Authentic happiness (Martin E. P. Seligman)

Seligman is known for his contributions to positive psychology and for providing knowledge on how to be happier. This book offers an optimistic view of life, always with scientific support, as there is a lot of research that can help you enjoy greater well-being.

• To know more about this book, Click here.
• Related article: "Martin Seligman: Biography and Theories in Positive Psychology"

2. Flow: A Psychology of Happiness (Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi)

The state of flow occurs when people do what they really want to do, because then they connect with themselves and it seems that time stops. The state of flow means entering a state of mindfulness as we explained in our article: “State of Flow (or State of Flow): how to maximize your performance”.

This concept is closely related to happiness, and in this text, the author exposes the keys to this state and explains what can be done to favor it. Without a doubt, a great work.

• On this page you will find more information.

3. The habits of a happy brain (Loretta Graziano)

Happy people usually carry out a series of habits that keep them in this state. But what happens to our brain when we are happy? What chemical processes are carried out? This is what Loretta Graziano's work tries to explain. A highly recommended book.

• Are you interested in reading it? Click here if you want to know more about the book.

4. The Happiness Trap (Russ Harris)

The media is constantly sending us messages about happiness and, on many occasions, can extend irrational beliefs about this phenomenon. This is why this book is different from many of those that deal with this topic, because it focuses on how we can become obsessed with being happy, something that negatively affects our well-being and our happiness. The author reviews the keys to being happy taking into account the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy.

• On this page you will find more information about this work.
• Related article: "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): principles and characteristics”

5. The life that flourishes (Martin E. P. Seligman)

Another work by Seligman that gives us some lessons about happiness, because for this happiness to flourish it is necessary to water our day to day and do things that allow us to live life resiliently despite the fact that sometimes the sun does not rise. The book focuses on how to manage our emotions and achieve an emotionally intelligent personality.

• You can get the book here.
• Related article: "How are emotionally intelligent people?”

6. Stumble into happiness (Daniel Gilbert)

This work has been written by Daniel Gilbert, professor of psychology at Harvard University. Revolves around how we go wrong trying to find happiness, and its content has the scientific endorsement of many investigations and years of study of this phenomenon. A text with good reviews that has managed to win over its readers.

• You will find more information about the book here.

7. Happiness. The science behind the smile (Daniel Nettle)

There are many investigations that have been carried out in recent decades with the aim of knowing better what happiness is and how we can be happier.

In this sense, there are many texts that have tried to compile the most interesting findings on this subject. On Happiness. The science behind the smile, the author makes an exhaustive review of these investigations on how our mood affects our brain.

• Visit this page to know more about the book.

8. The Science of Happiness (Sonja Lyubomirsky)

A text similar to the previous one but with a more practical approach. That is, this work provides advice and gives guidelines so that those interested can improve their well-being and feel better in relation to themselves.

• You will find more information about the book by clicking here.

9. Is your bucket full? Strategies to enhance your positive emotions (Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton)

A text that focuses on those emotional states that make us enjoy life. From a vision of positive psychology. This work offers strategies and knowledge to take advantage of it in our day to day: interpersonal relationships, work, vital objectives, etc.

• You can click here for more information about the book.

10. Happiness is waiting for you (Andrew Weil)

A book that criticizes the medical model when it comes to treating happiness and provides a new approach. The author presents a large amount of scientifically endorsed knowledge about some oriental practices such as meditation, and how they affect people's quality of life. Readers benefit from an 8-week program to achieve emotional well-being.

• On this link you will find more information about the book.

11. Intelligent optimism: psychology of positive emotions (Mª Dolores Avia Aranda and Carmelo Vázquez Valverde)

Intelligent optimism is the opposite of false optimism, as you can see in the article: “False optimism: what is it and what are its negative effects?”. And it is that, at least in part, our way of thinking influences how we feel, so we can learn to see life in a more positive way. This book delves into the keys that help to achieve this.

• If you are interested, you can get it here.

12. The happiest company in the world (David Tomás)

People spend many hours of the day at our work, which is why work well-being affects all areas of our lives. David Tomás, the author of this work, is the CEO of the Ciberclyck group, considered the best company to work for in Spain. In this work he explains how is it possible to be a happy company, which not only positively affects employees, but also the results of the organization.

• To know more about this book, Click here.