The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin

The author chronicles her year enacting current scientific research, lessons from popular culture, and her own concepts on how to be happier… improving her life as it was, tackling a new set of resolutions each month. I was interested in the science research components.. most, if not all, has been recycled so was already aware of it. Highlights-- the huge benefits of walking… help people think more clearly due to the exercise-induced chemicals in the brain; act the way you want to feel; the brain is stimulated by surprise, and successfully dealing with an unexpected situation gives a powerful sense of satisfaction… the unfamiliar and unexpected are important sources for happiness; the importance of first impressions, as when people evaluate others, they weigh on initial information much more heavily than later information; the importance of keeping a food diary for those trying to lose weight. There’s nothing new here. I can save you the time of reading this book by offering the suggestion of meditation… look inward, not outward for happiness…and know it’s a work in progress for the entirety of one’s life.