The Science of Happiness

‘The high priest of happiness’ SUNDAY TIMES ‘A fantastic guide to 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 _______________________________________________________________________ We all want to be happier, but our brains often get in the way. When we’re too stuck in our heads we obsess over our inadequacies, compare ourselves with others and fail to see the good in our lives. In The Science of Happiness, world-leading psychologist and happiness expert Bruce Hood demonstrates that the key to happiness is not self-care but connection. He presents seven simple but life-changing lessons to break negative thought patterns and re-connect with the things that really matter. Alter Your Ego Avoid Isolation Reject Negative Comparisons Become More Optimistic Control Your Attention Connect With Others Get Out of Your Own Head   Grounded in decades of studies in neuroscience and developmental psychology, this book tells a radical new story about the roots of wellbeing and the obstacles that lie in our path. With clear, practical takeaways throughout, Professor Hood demonstrates how we can all harness the findings of this science to re-wire our thinking and transform our lives. _______________________________________________________________________ ‘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 ‘A wonderful guide to what actually makes people happier – full of wisdom backed by a wealth of scientific evidence’ ROBERT WALDINGER, author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness ‘The most erudite, thoughtful, and original take on this important subject I have ever encountered’ MICHAEL SHERMER, author of Why People Believe Weird Things

Bruce Hood is an award-winning Professor of Developmental Psychology at Bristol University and the author of several books including SuperSense, The Self Illusion, The Domesticated Brain and Possessed. His course, The Science of Happiness, is the most popular course at Bristol University. He has appeared extensively on TV and radio, including co-hosting 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.