The Happiness Trap (Second Edition): How to Stop Struggling and Start Living

I am a middle-aged white male with a typical job, and I lead a typical life. I don't know if my opinion will persuade anyone to pick up this book. To be honest, I am not terribly concerned about that. I suppose I am writing this primarily as a thank you to the author. The book changed my life forever--in a good way. It brought together many things that have interested me for many years and made sense of them. It took the things I loved most about Zen Buddhism and framed them in a largely scientific context. In this scientific characterization, the power of these concepts is magnified and they are much more accessible to westerners. The writing seems compatible with ideas presented in formal epistemology. The recommended actions and ideas seem at home in the mind of an epistemic skeptic. More than just the book, ACT itself deserves much praise. To me, ACT seems a natural extension of evolutionary psychology. They fit together so seemlessly, at least in my opinion. For those in whom ACT is destined to resonate, the book is definitely a life changer. I thought he brilliantly and patiently encouraged the reader to participate in the many exercises presented in the text. The exercises are not embellishments or superficial ornaments. They are essential challenges to help one become immersed in the theory, help one reach competency in daily life. The exercises are extremely on target and extremely well balanced and measured. One of my favorite things is that when you finish the book, perhaps having left some of the exercises undone, it instantly becomes an incredible reference for the world view it describes. You can go back and finish the exercises. You can flip to a random page and study it. You can systematical refresh yourself on some pre-selected topic. In short, you can become and remain very, very familiar with the material. I am a little sheepish to admit this, but this is the best book I have ever read. I don't mean that it outdances the prose of Tolstoy (etc.). I mean in terms of pure impact on my life. I am sure the book would not effect everyone in this way. As we all know, life is a problem with many solutions (or something along those lines). Some of us might like an entirely different intellectual framework from which to view and interact with the world around us. For them, this book will probably seem ordinary, or worse. But, as for myself, I have found a magnificent text to aid me in the days ahead. My only betrayal of its role is that I know I will always be on the hunt, to some extent, for an even better formulation. Until I find one, I am set.

I think the psychotherapists/psychiatrists world hit a milestone with ACT. Clearly, ACT is different from what was proposed until now, and has in my opinion the best approach to all kind of mood disorders. Basically, you defuse unhelpful thoughts, accept negatives emotions and feelings, and live your life according to your defined values in a mindful way in order to attain your goals. This is a whole package for living a better life, and as you notice it won't dig in your past to try to solve your present problems: it just wants to optimize how you leave your life NOW. About the book: This book is a condensed, easy to read, and the perfect choice for someone starting to learn about ACT. Contrarily to many books on the subjects, this book is not for therapists, so a perfect choice for the non professional. Some reproach I can make to this book: - I would have appreciated defusion strategies to disengage from obsessive neutral thoughts: example when we are caught in a pure neutral cognitive process such as a choice to make between A and B that is draining our energy and we can't stop thinking about. -Author decided to rename some of the 6 core principles of ACT. First I think the replacements choices are not pertinent, second it creates confusion when you read other ACT resources. -This is not a remark that concerns only this book but maybe all the ACT approach: ACT never engages in process of creating positive emotions and such, or trying to change your mood and feelings, it rather defuses and accepts. This is a very fine approach, but some recent research on the brain neuroplasticity shows that you can literally rewire the brain to experience positive emotion almost at will which has a very positive effect on mind and body. This aspect is completely left behind by ACT, yet it might be worth considering.

As someone who has experienced long term anxiety and struggles with overthinking, I wish I would have read this book many years ago. Yes, some of the activities feel silly, but I promise you, trust the process, and you will reap the benefits. This book has been so much help (in addition to therapy) in reducing my anxiety and overthinking so I am more productive at work, maintain healthier relationships, and live a more fulfilling life

I purchased the eBook version of The Happiness Trap and found it to be a clear, practical guide to applying Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in everyday life. Russ Harris explains concepts like mindfulness, values-based living, and psychological flexibility in a way that’s easy to follow without feeling overly clinical. One of the strongest features of this book is the hands-on activities woven throughout—such as mindfulness exercises, values clarification worksheets, and thought-defusion techniques. These aren’t just “read and forget” tips; they’re designed for you to pause, reflect, and write down your own answers. Because of that, I recommend reading it when you’re not driving and have a notebook handy to work through the exercises and jot down personal insights. The eBook format makes it easy to highlight key passages and revisit them later. If I had one small critique, it’s that some sections felt a bit repetitive—but that also helped reinforce the main ideas. Overall, this is a great resource for anyone looking to manage stress, anxiety, or unhelpful thought patterns in a practical, actionable way. The more you engage with the activities, the more value you’ll get from it.

I've read many books in my journey of personal growth and this is by far the most impactful. As an analytical person, it is very easy to get caught up in the struggle of wanting the discomforts of life to stop. I'm glad this book supplies the tools to help us endure them in a healthy way to achieve the things that mean the most to us in life. I highly recommend this book for anyone trying to navigate life in general and need the tools to help them get the life they desire.

If I could recommend just one "self-help" book to purchase, read and follow-through with the assignments it recommends, it would be this book! I have literally inched my way through it, reading it slowly over the past couple of months, stopping to actually do the activities recommended, and for me it has been a godsend, as I deal with the range of emotions that have emerged as I deal with breast cancer. I am a chronic starter/non-finisher of books but this one was so worth my while, taking the ACT process step-by-step. It has helped me calm anxiety, re-focus on my values and begin the process of listening to my deeper self about what I really want to DO moving forward from this experience. Whether you are dealing with depression, anxiety, worry, fear, dissatisfaction with your life in general or specific, or an unexpected life crisis, the exercises and activities recommended here will help you ACT your way into a more fulfilling life starting now. As the author points out again and again, happiness is a trap when we chase it for its own sake vs. experiencing it as a by-product of a life lived based on values-based goals. Along the way, the practical steps anyone can use to conquer and move beyond some of the most debilitating emotional states are explained, outlined for immediate practice/application. It is a book based on doing, not simply explaining or more psychological understanding. Should you buy it? No, not if you're looking for a quick fix, magic wand. Yes, absolutely if you're ready to make a change for the positive, one action step at a time! By the way, it was recommended by my therapist and I will be forever grateful to her for leading me to it!

The book was a little anti cognitive behavioral therapy. While it doesn’t cure anyone it is healthy and helpful to find a positive in a negative. i don’t think i got through it though so i may just be talking

Love this book! Easy to read and follow and definitely worth reading

I am a Clinical Psychologist utilising ACT in my sessions. This book helped me move from theory to applicable in-session understanding. Russ Harris definately got deep hold over ACT. 💯

Diese Buch hat mich sehr inspiriert!

This book is a life changer. I bought it about a year ago and it changed how I think about life. I bought this as a 'pay-it-forward' for a friend who is having a hard time. I could have given my copy to my friend but this is such a great book I wanted to reward Dr Russ Harris with two purchases - he is a genius. For the price of a few coffees, the benefits are way beyond expectations.

My neuropsychologist recommended this book and it has been really helpful. I struggle with the concept of happiness and with social media portraying everyone else's lives as perfect. This book has helped me change the way I think and I feel more content and 'happy' now 😁

I always felt guilty about my negative emotions, criticize myself more than others.....for so long time, I thought it was the right thing... Until reading this one. Tears in my eyes!💓