Deliver to Canada
Similar items dispatching to Canada
CA
Canada
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Happiness Trap: Stop Struggling, Start Living Paperback – 26 Jun. 2008

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,479 ratings

Great on Kindle
Great Experience. Great Value.
iphone with kindle app
Putting our best book forward
Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital – start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.

Get the free Kindle app: Link to the kindle app page Link to the kindle app page
Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the Kindle edition of this book. Learn more about Great on Kindle, available in select categories.
Popular ideas about happiness are misleading, inaccurate, and are directly contributing to our current epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression. And unfortunately, popular psychological approaches are making it even worse. In this controversial, but empowering self-help book, Dr Russ Harries, reveals how millions of people are unwittingly caught in the 'The Happiness Trap', where the more they strive for happiness the more they suffer in the long term. He then provides an effective means to escape through a groundbreaking new approach based on mindfulness skills Mindfulness is a mental state of awareness, openness, and focus.Mindfulness skills are easy to learn and will rapidly and effectively help you to reduce stress, enhance performance, manage emotions, improve health, increase vitality, and generally change your life for the better. The book provides scientifically proven techniques to: reduce stress and worry; rise above fear, doubt and insecurity; break self-defeating habits; improve performance and find fulfilment in your work; build more satisfying relationships; and, create a rich, full and meaningful life.

Product description

Review

'Carefully and creatively presents techniques that anyone can use to undermine struggle, avoidance, and loss of the moment. Harris systematically explores how we get into the "happiness trap" and then shines a powerful beacon showing us another way forward' - Steven Hayes, PhD, author of Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life

'A practical antidote to the self-help industry's unhelpful obsession with trying to change yourself'
- Sainsbury's Magazine

'Eminently practical and readable. This book reveals that when calibrating one's life according to acceptance and valued action, happiness is a pleasant sideshow in the larger carnival of an engaged and purposeful existence' - Zindel Segal, PhD, author of The Mindful Way through Depression



'An exciting alternative to the usual approach of so many self-help books. Harris explains how we can work with ourselves as we are, rather than aggressively trying to alter ourselves. I'm impressed by the simple and effective methods of ACT'
- David Richo, PhD, author of The Five Things We Cannot Change

Book Description

The million copy bestseller that teaches you how to stop struggling for perfect happiness and lead a richer life

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 184529825X
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Robinson Publishing (26 Jun. 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 271 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781845298258
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1845298258
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.7 x 2.2 x 19.7 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,479 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Russ Harris
Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Dr Russ Harris is world-renowned trainer in ACT, a therapist and a coach, with a background in medicine (as a general practitioner). He has run hundreds of workshops, providing training over fifty thousand health professionals around the world. He is the author of several bestselling ACT-based textbooks and self-help books. The Happiness Trap is an international bestseller, with over a million copies sold worldwide and editions published in over thirty languages.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,479 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book worthwhile and well-thought-out. They say it provides understandable and practical advice on how to train minds to avoid getting attached. Readers describe the book as easy to read, straightforward, and simplistic. Opinions are mixed on the realistic aspect, with some finding it honest and interesting, while others say it's underrated and rubbish.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

138 customers mention ‘Readability’138 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to read, worthwhile, and well-thought-out. They say it offers superb approaches to dealing with unwanted feelings. Readers also describe the author as engaging and straight-forward.

"...All in all this is an excellent book that I would highly recommend to anyone who is quite analytical and wants to understand more about the mind,..." Read more

"...Part 1 of the book sets for an interesting journey...." Read more

"...Again both are proving to be really good books...." Read more

"...Also great to share snippets with teens - re-educate the thought process so help them find the little joys in their day." Read more

110 customers mention ‘Information quality’110 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides understandable and practical advice on how to train our minds to avoid getting attached to thoughts. They say it's useful and answers a lot of questions. Readers also mention the tricks and exercises in the book work. They say it can help anyone with negative thought patterns and teach them how to handle their feelings.

"...Buddhism provided a lot of clarity in life for me as well as extremely useful 'habits' that have improved my quality of life greatly...." Read more

"...Part 3 is inspirational, a super synthesis of the best coaching contents...." Read more

"...I personally find the religious philosophy elements helpful for giving the concepts and practices context and bringing a more connected feeling to..." Read more

"...Hope you find this review useful. Give this book a try, it's life-changing but only you will know when your ready to commit to the change." Read more

76 customers mention ‘Ease of reading’69 positive7 negative

Customers find the book very easy to read and follow. They say it's well-written, intelligent, and straightforward. Readers also mention the book explains clearly and in common language.

"...a case of not rushing yourself, downloaded on kindle is The book is easy to read, simple clear instructions but work slow to absorb and practice the..." Read more

"An easy to read guide to viewing happiness and contentment in a different way, I found this really uplifting in a simple, thought provoking way...." Read more

"...The author writes in a very engaging and straight forward way and he relates some of his own experience which in fact is the same for most of us...." Read more

"...The way he writes is brilliant because you can understand every word but the main brilliance of this book, is the fact he unearths what we all live..." Read more

10 customers mention ‘Effectiveness’7 positive3 negative

Customers find the book user-friendly and say it works well in practice.

"...It worked well for me and I found it an easy read unlike some other books i've read within the same category...." Read more

"...Simple logical and effective." Read more

"Didn’t do it for me" Read more

"...i love the ACT approach..it's very user friendly and works very well in practice..I've tried different approaches but this one is just so simple and..." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Realistic’7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book. Some mention it's worthwhile, honest, and interesting, with good practical advice. Others say it's underrated, dull, and repetitive.

"...To me this book is much more realistic in its scope...." Read more

"Dull and repetitive" Read more

"...I found it very readable and interesting, with real life cases and some good practical advice...." Read more

"...many self-help books this approach has been the most understanding, realistic and useful book I have come across...." Read more

A Bridge Between Spirituality & Psychology
5 out of 5 stars
A Bridge Between Spirituality & Psychology
For me this book serves as a very practical guide to, as the name suggests, living a happy life.I spent 5 years in the military and at the age of 25 left and realised that I didn't really know how to live a happy life. I'd had the job and money but still felt 'unfulfilled', what next.I travelled for 3 years and spent 2 of those years learning about and incorporating Buddhism into my life.Buddhism provided a lot of clarity in life for me as well as extremely useful 'habits' that have improved my quality of life greatly.However, once I returned to the UK I found myself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled once again. Reading Russ's book has helped me understand a lot of the why's to this and be able to do something about it.I think most if not all of the answers and teachings I needed are within Buddhism, but sometimes navigating your way through something like Buddhism can be a slow and arduous task (especially without a teacher).I found the Happiness trap plugged that gap very effectively for me. If I'm honest I felt like I was reading Buddhist literature for most of the book, but in a much easier way to understand for a western brain.It's helped me be aware of thing I wasn't aware of before from Buddhism such as trying to avoid certain feelings and emotions and the challenges that was creating for me in my life.I also thoroughly enjoyed the third part of the book about creating a meaningful life, especially the values part of the book.All in all this is an excellent book that I would highly recommend to anyone who is quite analytical and wants to understand more about the mind, happiness and living a meaningful life.In a quick summary, I'd explain the book as a combination of mindful awareness and practical living training.I think books that are similar to or complement this book are:- The Way of The Peaceful Warrior (more of a story format for someone who is struggling but doesn't want such practical step by step guidance yet)- The Art Of Happiness- Psycho Cybernetics
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry, we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from United Kingdom

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2021
For me this book serves as a very practical guide to, as the name suggests, living a happy life.

I spent 5 years in the military and at the age of 25 left and realised that I didn't really know how to live a happy life. I'd had the job and money but still felt 'unfulfilled', what next.

I travelled for 3 years and spent 2 of those years learning about and incorporating Buddhism into my life.

Buddhism provided a lot of clarity in life for me as well as extremely useful 'habits' that have improved my quality of life greatly.

However, once I returned to the UK I found myself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled once again. Reading Russ's book has helped me understand a lot of the why's to this and be able to do something about it.

I think most if not all of the answers and teachings I needed are within Buddhism, but sometimes navigating your way through something like Buddhism can be a slow and arduous task (especially without a teacher).

I found the Happiness trap plugged that gap very effectively for me. If I'm honest I felt like I was reading Buddhist literature for most of the book, but in a much easier way to understand for a western brain.

It's helped me be aware of thing I wasn't aware of before from Buddhism such as trying to avoid certain feelings and emotions and the challenges that was creating for me in my life.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the third part of the book about creating a meaningful life, especially the values part of the book.

All in all this is an excellent book that I would highly recommend to anyone who is quite analytical and wants to understand more about the mind, happiness and living a meaningful life.

In a quick summary, I'd explain the book as a combination of mindful awareness and practical living training.

I think books that are similar to or complement this book are:
- The Way of The Peaceful Warrior (more of a story format for someone who is struggling but doesn't want such practical step by step guidance yet)
- The Art Of Happiness
- Psycho Cybernetics
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars A Bridge Between Spirituality & Psychology
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 22 July 2021
For me this book serves as a very practical guide to, as the name suggests, living a happy life.

I spent 5 years in the military and at the age of 25 left and realised that I didn't really know how to live a happy life. I'd had the job and money but still felt 'unfulfilled', what next.

I travelled for 3 years and spent 2 of those years learning about and incorporating Buddhism into my life.

Buddhism provided a lot of clarity in life for me as well as extremely useful 'habits' that have improved my quality of life greatly.

However, once I returned to the UK I found myself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled once again. Reading Russ's book has helped me understand a lot of the why's to this and be able to do something about it.

I think most if not all of the answers and teachings I needed are within Buddhism, but sometimes navigating your way through something like Buddhism can be a slow and arduous task (especially without a teacher).

I found the Happiness trap plugged that gap very effectively for me. If I'm honest I felt like I was reading Buddhist literature for most of the book, but in a much easier way to understand for a western brain.

It's helped me be aware of thing I wasn't aware of before from Buddhism such as trying to avoid certain feelings and emotions and the challenges that was creating for me in my life.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the third part of the book about creating a meaningful life, especially the values part of the book.

All in all this is an excellent book that I would highly recommend to anyone who is quite analytical and wants to understand more about the mind, happiness and living a meaningful life.

In a quick summary, I'd explain the book as a combination of mindful awareness and practical living training.

I think books that are similar to or complement this book are:
- The Way of The Peaceful Warrior (more of a story format for someone who is struggling but doesn't want such practical step by step guidance yet)
- The Art Of Happiness
- Psycho Cybernetics
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
5 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 January 2019
I would generally be of the sceptical kind of people who would read a headline such as mine's and immediately class it as covert advertisement. I don't blame you if you do. To be honest, I very seldom type up reviews of my Amazon purchases. But this one clearly deserves a chunk of my time. That so much goodness can be compressed into a 270-page book at a starting price of only one penny for a used edition is exhilarating.

I stumbled upon Dr Harris' work in a moment of real darkness in my life. 25 years old, graduated in a degree with honours and about to graduate from a masters, living on my own with wonderful friends in an amazing city of a foreign country, working in a qualified job that attracted awe and respect from parents and acquaintances alike. Yet, for some reason, I started to feel increasingly miserable and blue, and I did all I could to run away from these feelings, telling myself stories about how inappropriate it was that someone as lucky as me was feeling that way. As it happens, these emotions could not be reined in for long, so they finally burst in the form of heightened levels of anxiety and panic attacks. Feeling desperate, I reached out to my close friends for support, and I also sought some tools from self-help books in Amazon. And "The Happiness Trap" had very good reviews, so I thought of giving it a try.

Boy, I think I've never spent £7.14 more wisely. Part 1 of the book sets for an interesting journey. Part 2 simply blows your mind: anybody who has ever had trouble with an anxiety disorder or depression will connect with Dr Harris' layman stories and explanations as if he had started to write the book only after returning from an expedition into your own mind. It makes you understand the source of all of your suffering and be more at ease with your thoughts and feelings, as you learn to value them simply for what they are: words and pictures created by your mind. Part 3 is inspirational, a super synthesis of the best coaching contents.

I finished the book an hour ago with a stupid smile on my face and I felt the urge to write this review. And because this urge is indeed helpful in building a more meaningful life, for me and for others, I allowed myself to fuse with it (readers will understand my choice of vocabulary best).

In summary, if you feel a bit lost in life, you're struggling with depression or anxiety, or you simply want to grow internally and understand your mind better, this book is a MUST. And to top it up, it's designed as a reference book, so it'll always occupy a preferential spot in your bookcase. As Americans would say, a no-brainer!!
84 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 June 2024
Useful and lots of practical tips and if you don't like the religious aspects the this is for you. I personally find the religious philosophy elements helpful for giving the concepts and practices context and bringing a more connected feeling to the whole thing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 March 2017
After attending an ACT course with the recovery college with nsft. I downloaded this book on my kindle, I printed off all the available free resources from Russ Harris`s webpage. I also downloaded his act companion android app. Which is so valuable when out and about. Don't expect to just read the book in one week and expect yr a magic wand to make yr life better. It's taken me about eight months to work through the chapters. It is really a case of not rushing yourself, downloaded on kindle is The book is easy to read, simple clear instructions but work slow to absorb and practice the exercises. It really does take conscious thought to make it work. I'm still redoing some exercises as things do change as you learn. I myself had never heard of values before. Once I understood what they were about, I realised I knew what I should put down on paper for my values but I didn't write them down. As at the start I was "numb" I wasn't feeling anything due to my ptsd. I've spent the past year working on my recovery journey. Trying to really experience any emotions towards things which would give me an idea of what my true values actually are. I wanted to feel my own true values. I've also used the little red ACT workbook and am reading the reality slap book. Again both are proving to be really good books. I have purchased the softback happiness trap book as I know I will be rereading it over and over again as I work through my recovery journey. Remember, recovery is a journey, there is no destination. Hope you find this review useful. Give this book a try, it's life-changing but only you will know when your ready to commit to the change.
10 people found this helpful
Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Richika Agarwal
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, must read!
Reviewed in India on 14 October 2023
Exploring a wide range of #SelfHelpBooks, I've found "The Happiness Trap" by Dr. Russ Harris to be a standout. This book addresses the misconception surrounding #Happiness in today's culture and its impact on our lives.

Dr. Harris emphasizes the importance of embracing a full spectrum of emotions, including happiness, sadness, and anxiety. #TheHappinessTrap is a practical guide that provides strategies for navigating complex thoughts and feelings, ultimately leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

If you're seeking actionable insights in self-help, this book is a must-read. #EmbraceEmotions #MentalWellness #PersonalGrowth
Customer image
Richika Agarwal
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, must read!
Reviewed in India on 14 October 2023
Exploring a wide range of #SelfHelpBooks, I've found "The Happiness Trap" by Dr. Russ Harris to be a standout. This book addresses the misconception surrounding #Happiness in today's culture and its impact on our lives.

Dr. Harris emphasizes the importance of embracing a full spectrum of emotions, including happiness, sadness, and anxiety. #TheHappinessTrap is a practical guide that provides strategies for navigating complex thoughts and feelings, ultimately leading to a more balanced and fulfilling life.

If you're seeking actionable insights in self-help, this book is a must-read. #EmbraceEmotions #MentalWellness #PersonalGrowth
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
Anonimous
5.0 out of 5 stars very interesting
Reviewed in the Netherlands on 5 April 2022
Very good book!! I would recommend it to everyone struggling with overthinking.
MIchel RAYOT
5.0 out of 5 stars deep and useful
Reviewed in France on 20 January 2022
I am interested in stoicism. It’s a very valuable philosophy which remains valid as far as ethics is concerned. This book allow to understand the way to escape our bias and work out a meaningful life
Amazon Kunde
5.0 out of 5 stars Praktisch
Reviewed in Germany on 3 January 2022
Eins der praktischsten Bücher, die ich je gelesen habe. Man muss natürlich auch die Übungen machen, die er vorschlägt, sonst wird das nix
Matteo
4.0 out of 5 stars Todo bien
Reviewed in Spain on 7 November 2019
Llegado como previsto.