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The Happiness Equation: 100 Factors That Can Add to or Subtract from How Happy You Are
There is a formula for happiness—and now readers can learn it in this unique book. To be have a large family, try new foods, and be courageous. However, being highly educated, envying a friend’s car, and looking inward can cause the happiness level to go down. In this four-color guide, readers will learn how to calculate their happiness factor. They’ll discover what life changes they can make to help it go up and what will happen if it continues to go down. Includes the amount we either add to or subtract from our happiness when are married +2; have job insecurity -2; own a pet +5; play a fast-paced sport +2. Delivered in a fun, readable way, this book is perfect for those who want to improve their happiness. After adding and subtracting their way through the book, readers will be inspired to follow the expert advice and take steps to make their lives happier.
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2008
6 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 29, 2019
Today is apparently what’s known as “Blue Monday,” the saddest day of the year. It can be hard to find reasons to be cheerful in mid-January, especially given the state of Anglo-American politics. All too often I give in to melancholy on these dark mornings. However, I aim to do better. Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project was one of the most memorable books I read in the second half of last year. What I appreciated most about it was that her approach is not about undertaking extreme actions to try to achieve happiness, but about finding contentment with the life you already have by adding or tweaking small habits.
I was keen to see what additional tips I could glean from Live Happy: 100 Simple Ways to Fill Your Life with Joy by positive psychologists Bridget Grenville-Cleave and Ilona Boniwell. They explain that about 50% of the capacity for happiness is genetic, while 10% is related to your current situation. That means that individuals are able to boost their happiness by up to 40% through their attitude and choices.
The key is to focus on what you can influence for the better. The book includes in this category things like luck, health and confidence. I found it difficult to accept the idea that I could choose to have good luck and high energy. It’s just such a foreign concept to me. But according to Grenville-Cleave and Boniwell, perceived control of one’s life course is extremely important.
Live Happy contains good generic advice on diet, use of time, relationships and forming positive habits, though the 100-item format leads to some repetition. In a few cases examples of practical application are necessary; otherwise what we have is just sound bites. For instance, “Try adopting extrovert behaviours such as assertiveness and engaging with others” and “you can also try to face problems head on, rather than simply giving up; you’ll find it easier to bounce back after misfortune.”
On the other hand, I did find specific suggestions that I plan to put into practice. A tip for being more optimistic is to wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap yourself every time you experience an Automatic Negative Thought. I also appreciated these words about making choices: “For unimportant decisions try to be satisfied with an option that is merely good enough, rather than trying to make absolutely the best choice. Lower your expectations – do not expect perfection.”
This is an attractive book, with each page containing pull quotes or whimsical drawings that tie into the blue-yellow-green palette. I would recommend it to readers of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, A Manual for Heartache by Cathy Rentzenbrink and Option B by Sheryl Sandberg. It could also make an ideal bedside book for people who aren’t big readers but are interested in injecting a little more happiness into their everyday life.
Originally published, with images, on my blog, Bookish Beck.
I was keen to see what additional tips I could glean from Live Happy: 100 Simple Ways to Fill Your Life with Joy by positive psychologists Bridget Grenville-Cleave and Ilona Boniwell. They explain that about 50% of the capacity for happiness is genetic, while 10% is related to your current situation. That means that individuals are able to boost their happiness by up to 40% through their attitude and choices.
The key is to focus on what you can influence for the better. The book includes in this category things like luck, health and confidence. I found it difficult to accept the idea that I could choose to have good luck and high energy. It’s just such a foreign concept to me. But according to Grenville-Cleave and Boniwell, perceived control of one’s life course is extremely important.
Live Happy contains good generic advice on diet, use of time, relationships and forming positive habits, though the 100-item format leads to some repetition. In a few cases examples of practical application are necessary; otherwise what we have is just sound bites. For instance, “Try adopting extrovert behaviours such as assertiveness and engaging with others” and “you can also try to face problems head on, rather than simply giving up; you’ll find it easier to bounce back after misfortune.”
On the other hand, I did find specific suggestions that I plan to put into practice. A tip for being more optimistic is to wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap yourself every time you experience an Automatic Negative Thought. I also appreciated these words about making choices: “For unimportant decisions try to be satisfied with an option that is merely good enough, rather than trying to make absolutely the best choice. Lower your expectations – do not expect perfection.”
This is an attractive book, with each page containing pull quotes or whimsical drawings that tie into the blue-yellow-green palette. I would recommend it to readers of The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, A Manual for Heartache by Cathy Rentzenbrink and Option B by Sheryl Sandberg. It could also make an ideal bedside book for people who aren’t big readers but are interested in injecting a little more happiness into their everyday life.
Originally published, with images, on my blog, Bookish Beck.
January 30, 2023
A quick easy primer to 100 ways to make yr life happier. Written by two leading psychologists who focus on influences on human happiness and development of the person, it's a concise and snappy reminder to have in the event you get hit suddenly by the doldrums!
My favs from the 100?
⚡Be curious
⚡Keep things in perspective
⚡Get things done
⚡Avoid comparisons
⚡Put value in experiences
My favs from the 100?
⚡Be curious
⚡Keep things in perspective
⚡Get things done
⚡Avoid comparisons
⚡Put value in experiences
March 2, 2019
A lot of work has gone into the presentation of Live Happy and it certainly pays off; you can't help but smile and feel relaxed just from the beautiful sky blue sunny cover. Each page is either coloured or illustrated with clipart style drawings of what the section is about and I really think the presentation helps to inspire and get the message across. Although I read this book from cover to cover, it is definitely one that you will benefit from dipping in and out of when you want some inspiration.
Live Happy sets out 100 ways to fill your life with joy. Well, I don't know about you but I'd be quite happy with just a handful of joyous activities, so with 100 to choose from I really think there will be something for everyone in this book. A lot of the ideas to find happiness are common sense but some of them are reminders of the simple things we may have forgotten. We are all so busy with lives running at 100 mph these days that we rarely stop to smell the roses. Funnily enough, that is one of the tips in the book: 'connect with nature' - spend more time in the countryside or your garden as natural environments help to reduce blood pressure and stress.
For me, the sections that resonated with me and became tips that I will take away with me are: improve your luck, think highly of yourself, relieve stress, forgive yourself, worry less, learn to like yourself, learn how to say no and my personal favourite: enjoy a glass of wine. What I love about books like this is that somebody else will read it and pick out a different set of tips to help and inspire them.
Live Happy has something for everyone, whether you need a quick pick-me-up or a reminder to appreciate what you have in your life. I think that everyone who reads Live Happy will end up smiling at some point whilst reading it, so the book does indeed do what it says on the cover. 😊
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Live Happy sets out 100 ways to fill your life with joy. Well, I don't know about you but I'd be quite happy with just a handful of joyous activities, so with 100 to choose from I really think there will be something for everyone in this book. A lot of the ideas to find happiness are common sense but some of them are reminders of the simple things we may have forgotten. We are all so busy with lives running at 100 mph these days that we rarely stop to smell the roses. Funnily enough, that is one of the tips in the book: 'connect with nature' - spend more time in the countryside or your garden as natural environments help to reduce blood pressure and stress.
For me, the sections that resonated with me and became tips that I will take away with me are: improve your luck, think highly of yourself, relieve stress, forgive yourself, worry less, learn to like yourself, learn how to say no and my personal favourite: enjoy a glass of wine. What I love about books like this is that somebody else will read it and pick out a different set of tips to help and inspire them.
Live Happy has something for everyone, whether you need a quick pick-me-up or a reminder to appreciate what you have in your life. I think that everyone who reads Live Happy will end up smiling at some point whilst reading it, so the book does indeed do what it says on the cover. 😊
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
July 2, 2025
Working in a pastoral capacity at work, some information was appropriate to the role (such as who adolescents spend the most time with and how that can effect wellbeing) and ways to build on resilience and confidence.
Loved the layout too, wasn't excessive amount of texts to get to the point, and was easy on the eye. I can also think about what to utilise in my own life.
Loved the layout too, wasn't excessive amount of texts to get to the point, and was easy on the eye. I can also think about what to utilise in my own life.
April 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It’s beautifully presented and has lots of great ideas in it. I read through it, but it would also work to dip in as you wished, or read one a day.
April 11, 2024
It's very impactful
January 11, 2019
Live Happy, as the subtitle says, is filled with 100 simple ways you could bring joy into your life whether it's the darkest day or a bright, frosty morning.
While some may be more challenging - not everyone can make a quick decision to get hitched for example! - the vast majority of pieces of advice contained in this book are indeed simple and achievable. They may mostly seem like common sense things but it does no harm to remember that simple things are good for your mental health and well-being.
Opening a few pages at random we are reminded that being more creative can be a powerful mood enhancer, particularly if you can spend time with friends. Singing more is also known to raise your mood as is taking up a new hobby. Perhaps it's time to have a look for a community choir where you would experience many of these benefits at the same time? Showing gratitude is also something which can leave you feeling much more positive as well as benefiting whoever you are showing your gratitude to. Eating a balanced diet, walking in the fresh air, drinking less alcohol and getting regular sleep can all help boost your vitality which is linked with positive mental well-being as well as good physical health.
Say hi to your neighbours, connect with nature, cherish your relationships, learn to say no, make time for yourself, avoid comparison. These are all things which are easy to do and can all have a positive influence on our lives and quite often the lives of others. These, and so many other pieces of advice, are things I am resolving not only to do more this year, but also to take the time to notice how they make me feel. I feel I should also consider seriously the advice to get rid of clutter!
The 100 ways to fill your life with joy listed in this book are wise, positive, encouraging and, most importantly, achievable. I honestly felt better just for reading this book. But then in my opinion, reading is also great for your mental health. If you feel you need a little boost this month, treat yourself to this book.
While some may be more challenging - not everyone can make a quick decision to get hitched for example! - the vast majority of pieces of advice contained in this book are indeed simple and achievable. They may mostly seem like common sense things but it does no harm to remember that simple things are good for your mental health and well-being.
Opening a few pages at random we are reminded that being more creative can be a powerful mood enhancer, particularly if you can spend time with friends. Singing more is also known to raise your mood as is taking up a new hobby. Perhaps it's time to have a look for a community choir where you would experience many of these benefits at the same time? Showing gratitude is also something which can leave you feeling much more positive as well as benefiting whoever you are showing your gratitude to. Eating a balanced diet, walking in the fresh air, drinking less alcohol and getting regular sleep can all help boost your vitality which is linked with positive mental well-being as well as good physical health.
Say hi to your neighbours, connect with nature, cherish your relationships, learn to say no, make time for yourself, avoid comparison. These are all things which are easy to do and can all have a positive influence on our lives and quite often the lives of others. These, and so many other pieces of advice, are things I am resolving not only to do more this year, but also to take the time to notice how they make me feel. I feel I should also consider seriously the advice to get rid of clutter!
The 100 ways to fill your life with joy listed in this book are wise, positive, encouraging and, most importantly, achievable. I honestly felt better just for reading this book. But then in my opinion, reading is also great for your mental health. If you feel you need a little boost this month, treat yourself to this book.
February 25, 2013
The book THE HAPPINESS EQUATION was very informative. I enjoyed reading this book because it mentioned many things I can relate to. I also learned alot while reading this book. The author mentions points that can help me and others prevent sadness and just...live happier. For instance, One of the most informative chapter was "32" it surprised me when the passage stated that adaption is a big part of happiness. Instead of trying to cope with the negative situation, accept it as it is.
May 15, 2020
Yes, I really liked it and am rereading it. More for fun, but actually also good inputs. Things that most people know, but have to be reminded of, also with explanations of why things help or put you in a good mood or bad mood etc. Fun to read. Inspiring. Makes me lucky just by seeing and reading it.
April 15, 2009
A neat book- though I'm not usually into self discovery / help books. Everything is based on current research, and it offers little pick-me-up techniques as well as reasons to make bigger, more impacting changes.
December 31, 2008
A fun stocking stuffer of a book.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews