Hardwiring Happiness

The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence

By: Rick Hanson

Narrated by: Rick Hanson

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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 but slowly from the good ones. You can change this. Hardwiring Happiness lays out a simple method that uses the hidden power of everyday experiences to build new neural structures full of happiness, love, confidence, and peace. Dr. Hanson’s four steps build strengths into your brain, balancing its ancient negativity bias, making contentment and a powerful sense of resilience the new normal. In mere minutes each day, we can transform our brains into refuges and power centers of calm and happiness.

©2013 Rick Hanson (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Rick Hanson is a master of his craft, showing us a wise path for daily living in this audiobook. Based in the latest findings of neuroscience, this audiobook reveals that if we understand the brain a little, we can take care of our lives a lot, and make a real difference to our well-being. Here is an audiobook to savor, to practice, and to take to heart." (Mark Williams, PhD, Professor, University of Oxford, author of Mindfulness)

"The cultivation of happiness is one of the most important skills anyone can ever learn. Luckily, it’s not hard when we know the way to water and nourish these wholesome seeds, which are already there in our consciousness. This audiobook offers simple, accessible, practical steps for touching the peace and joy that are every person’s birthright." (Thich Nhat Hanh, author of Being Peace and Understanding Our Mind)

"In this remarkable audiobook, one of the world's leading authorities on mind training shows how to cultivate the helpful and good within us. In a beautifully written and accessible way, Rick Hanson offers us an inspiring gift of wise insights and compassionate and uplifting practices that will be of enormous benefit to all who listen to this audiobook. An audiobook of hope and joyfulness." (Paul Gilbert, PhD, O.B.E., Professor, University of Derby, author of The Compassionate Mind)

Should be available on the NHS

This is a fantastic book either for those new to the concept of neuroplasticity or for those looking to deepen their understanding and practice. Learning to change my brain and embrace joy has changed my life over the past year and this is definitely a book that I would recommend to anyone suffering from anxiety or chronic pain. I am hoping that in time the mainstream medical profession here in the UK will take these ideas onboard and make them accessible to everyone. Rick Hanson is an amazing man and the best reader of his work. Highly recommended.

Idiot purchase - thought it was about neuroscience

I've only listened to about 2 hours of this drivel, and I'm going to try to return it to Audible, only slightly used. The thesis is that you can 'think yourself happy' by basically being extra special nice to yourself like the ideal friend or nurturing parent. Trouble is if you are a bitch, or an alcoholic, this won't help you to put anything right in your life (just to be clear, I am neither). John Stewart Mill (whom I've never read, but sounds like a sensible guy) argued that Happiness is only ever found as a by-product of some other endeavour, such as work or philanthropy. This book takes the exact opposite view - whatever your life is like you can sit in your bedsit and 'rewire' yourself to be happy. John Stewart Mill or Rick Hanson? You decide who's got it right.

Narration: sing-song American psychotherapy voice. I have to say narration is perfectly suited to material, but boy is Rick a hapless nerd.

DISAPPOINTING

What would have made Hardwiring Happiness better?

Although a great follower of Rick Hanson, this book basically stated the obvious: TRY TO THINK POSITIVELY AND SEE THE GOOD IN ALL SITUATIONS.

What was most disappointing about Rick Hanson’s story?

Just not different or interesting enough. It's been said before using better examples of situations which warrant positive thinking.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

He does have a lovely voice so I am glad Rick Hanson reads his own work.

Interesting And Practical

Lots of well explained tips for improving emotional well-being. Have already recommended it to friends.

okay but...

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not really any different from all the other books on happiness, some interesting points but was a slog to get through.

Would you be willing to try another one of Rick Hanson’s performances?

No! It really irritated me when he impersonated the female voice. He could have just described the encounters without doing that really badly! Please dont do it again Rick!

Excellent Book

Would you consider the audio edition of Hardwiring Happiness to be better than the print version?

Yes Because Rick Hanson has a lovely relaxing voice and is easy on the ear.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything.

Understanding the theory is much more than just someone teaching you

Have you listened to any of Rick Hanson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I have every book and audio book of Rick Hanson and I love his relaxing voice, his voice is calming and easy on the ear to anyone who is interested on the topic

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes when he described the particular use of neuroscience, I found out what steps I was missing that I had overlooked before I purchased audio book.

Any additional comments?

A very wonderful and enjoyable book A++++++

A wishy-washy regurgitation of the science and woo

The narrator's S's have an annoying whistle as he winds through some pretty boring anecdotes to spin out monotone yarns. If this is your first foray into reprogramming your negative thought patterns, it will be down to the discovery of the elsewhere discovered revelation this author has hijacked. But believe me this is just down there with all the other 'also ran' bores, jumping on an already better provisioned process of recovery. Rick Hanson's other book Resilience, is a much better 8hours of listening than this. And if you know what you want from a big listen, Chris Irons Compassionate Mind Workbook, has 22hours.

Scientific and user friendly

Rick Hanson narrates his book well. It I is appropriate for scientific people too who are interested in how the brain works as well as doing some self help.

Enjoying it very much but

Why don’t the chapters correspond with the audio ...for example when on Chapter 6 the author is announcing Chapter 4!
A little frustrating.
Otherwise I’m enjoying the book.

Mellow

This was an interesting read but I found I had to take it at quite a slow pace dipping in and out.
There are some good notions about growing the good and some decent exercises to do. Just not while driving!