Top 10 Titles for International Happiness Day

PESI Team

International Day of Happiness, also known as Happiness Day, is celebrated on March 20 each year. Adopted by the United Nations in 2012, this day brings awareness to seeing happiness as a fundamental human right and a universal aspiration in the lives of all.

Many clients go to therapy to “feel happy.” Perhaps they seek a feeling they used to have. Maybe they compare their lives with their friends' social media feeds. But what is happiness? Is it appreciating what we have? Feeling like we have purpose? Living in the moment? It can be all three...and much more. The definition is different for each and every person on the planet.

Each person’s well-being integrates their mental health and their physical health, among many other pieces of who we are. When we’re feeling not so happy, it can affect other parts of our lives as well. But even small changes in our routines can make big differences on our overall well-being.

On this day of happiness, PESI has compiled 10 incredible resources for clinicians and clients alike. Each provides a unique way for people of all ages to find happiness!

The Happiness Toolbox: 56 Practices to Find Happiness, Purpose & Productivity in Love, Work and Life

The Happiness Toolbox: 56 Practices to Find Happiness, Purpose & Productivity in Love, Work and Life

Jonah Paquette, PsyD

So many books, websites, apps, and podcasts claim they contain the secrets to finding happiness. But rarely are they backed by research or real tools—instead they are just anecdotal fairy tales that work for a select few. The Happiness Toolbox is here to help, providing you with science-backed exercises to change your life.

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook: Using Mindfulness and Connection to Raise Resilient, Joyful Children and Rediscover Your Love of Parenting

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook: Using Mindfulness and Connection to Raise Resilient, Joyful Children and Rediscover Your Love of Parenting

Laura Markham, PhD

In her groundbreaking guide Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, Dr. Laura Markham helped millions of parents better understand their children and their own emotions. Now, parents can take Dr. Markham's simple yet transformative approach even deeper—with this personalized, interactive and practice-filled companion workbook.

Cultivating Lasting Happiness: A 7-Step Guide to Mindfulness

Cultivating Lasting Happiness: A 7-Step Guide to Mindfulness

Terry Fralich, LCPC, JD

Cultivating Lasting Happiness is the definitive practical guide to understanding mindfulness and integrating it into your life. Terry Fralich has created a path for developing the awareness and skills to minimize suffering and maximize positive states—all to enhance well-being.

Enjoy Life! Healing with Happiness

Enjoy Life! Healing with Happiness

Lynn D. Johnson, PhD

Through research into high functioning people, we now know that people high in curiosity are much happier. And curiosity is the most natural state possible. Young children are full of curiosity, wanting to know and learn. If you want to be a happier person, all you have to do is remember that natural curiosity.

Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence

Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence

Rick Hanson, PhD

Why is it easier to ruminate over hurt feelings than it is to bask in the warmth of being appreciated? Because your brain evolved to learn quickly from bad experiences and slowly from good ones, but you can change this. New York Times bestselling author Rick Hanson's four steps can teach you to hardwire happiness in only a few minutes each day.

The Happiness Project, Tenth Anniversary Edition: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

The Happiness Project, Tenth Anniversary Edition: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

Gretchen Rubin

In this lively and compelling account—now updated with new material by the author—Gretchen Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lessons from popular culture about how to be happier.

The Five Hurdles to Happiness: And the Mindful Path to Overcoming Them

The Five Hurdles to Happiness: And the Mindful Path to Overcoming Them

Mitch Abblett, PhD

There are five obstacles that stand in the way of true happiness. Recognizing these obstacles and moving past them can be difficult, especially when we find ourselves caught up in work, family life, and other time-consuming activities. In this guide, Mitch Abblett—a licensed clinical psychologist and consultant—outlines just what these obstacles are and how they infect everyday life.

The Happiness Workbook for Kids: 24 Fun Activities to Help Kids Focus, Make Smart Choices, and Bounce Back from Challenges

The Happiness Workbook for Kids: 24 Fun Activities to Help Kids Focus, Make Smart Choices, and Bounce Back from Challenges

Maureen Healy

In this insightful yet easy-to-read workbook, Maureen Healy teaches kids how to become happier despite the everyday obstacles, frustrations, and big emotions. With the tools inside, children will learn how to constructively express their emotions, bounce back from challenges, and move toward happier life experiences.

Daily Meditations for Healing and Happiness: 52 Card Deck

Daily Meditations for Healing and Happiness: 52 Card Deck

Mary NurrieStearns, MSW, LCSW, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500

Transform your life with meditations for healing and happiness. This unique card deck gives you 52 simple meditations to connect you to the present moment, cultivate happiness, take loving care of your emotions, enhance your wellbeing, and develop gratitude.

Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment

Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment

Tal Ben-Shahar, PhD

Can you learn to be happy? YES…according to Harvard University’s most life-changing course. Grounded in the “positive psychology” movement, Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar combines scientific studies, scholarly research, self-help advice, and spiritual enlightenment together into a set of principles that you can apply to your daily life.

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