The Happiness Trap: Stop Struggling, Start Living - Softcover

Dr. Russ Harris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184529825X ISBN 13: 9781845298258

Publisher: Robinson Publishing, 2008

Popular ideas about happiness are misleading, inaccurate, and are directly contributing to our epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression. And unfortunately, popular psychological approaches are making it even worse. This book provides scientifically proven techniques to reduce stress and worry, and rise above fear, doubt and insecurity.

About the Author:

Dr. Russ Harris is a physician, therapist, and speaker specializing in stress management. He travels nationally and internationally to train individuals and health professionals in the techniques of ACT. Born and educated in England, he now lives in Australia. For more information, visit actmindfully.com.au.

From Publishers Weekly:

Physician Harris challenges some basic assumptions about the all-American tradition of the pursuit of happiness, drawing heavily on the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) work of University of Nevada professor Steven Hayes, which argues that happiness is not a normal state of being; pain is inevitable and what matters is how it is dealt with. The ACT prescription is to be mindful of negative thoughts and emotions, reconnect with core values, act in accordance with values and with the psychological flexibility to adapt to any situation. ACT techniques include diffusion—decreasing the impact of self-defeating thoughts (without making them go away), turning off the struggle switch, practicing expansion to make room for self-observation and connecting with the present moment. While these concepts might sound like typical self-help fare, Harris makes key distinctions: ACT is not a form of meditation or a path to enlightenment—to reap the benefits, action is imperative. More of an ACT primer than anything else, there's enough interesting content here to keep the reader, um, happy. (June)
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• Publisher: Robinson Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 184529825X
• ISBN 13: 9781845298258
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 271