If Only Happiness Was a No-Brainer: The Neuroscience and Psychology Behind Emotions and Living Well

A leading new release in psychology that became the #1 Best Seller in Positive Psychology, If Only Happiness Was a No-Brainer is redefining how we think about happiness, emotional intelligence, and living well.
Long-lasting happiness isn’t found in fleeting pleasures like chocolate or other momentary indulgences. Neuroscience and psychology reveal that pursuing the right kind of goals in life engages the brain’s cognitive and reward systems, lending meaning to our lives. Research shows that our brains are wired for social connection—making not only a smile and a hug enjoyable, but also moral virtues such as empathy, kindness, and fairness keys to our well-being while exciting the brain’s social and reward systems. Since happiness resides in the brain, having a positive mindset makes a significant difference in our daily joy, and positive psychology offers self-help strategies to enhance it. But all these essential components of a happy brain fail if we succumb to fear, pain, stress, and depression, which activate the brain’s aversive systems and dampen the brain’s cognitive and reward systems. These negative brain states can be reversed with the help of positive psychology, psychotherapy, and psychiatry.
If Only Happiness Was a No-Brainer integrates findings from neuroscience and psychology to present five essential pillars of happiness: pleasure, purpose, people, perspective, and resilience. Through lighthearted personal stories and clear, evidence-based insights, this book demonstrates how each pillar is expressed in the brain, providing readers with a deeper understanding of how to lead a more connected, fulfilling, and happy life.