There are two reasons someone wants to go to a doctor: because something is wrong and they want it fixed, or everything is okay and they want to stay as healthy as possible as long as possible. Something that we often forget is that the same can be true of our mental health. Usually, we seek therapy or medications when something is wrong and we want it fixed. We don’t want to be depressed or anxious or unfocused. But we can also turn to psychology to increase our happiness, boost our resilience, and find ways to live in harmony with our most authentic selves.

Positive Psychology in Practice is a journey to do just that. Focusing on the tenets of positive psychology, authors and licensed clinical psychologists Gina Delucca and Jamie Goldstein use short chapters and thoughtful exercises to build a scaffold you can use to find a higher level of contentment or even enjoyment of life.

They use short lessons on topics such as a positive mindset, resilience, optimism, mindfulness, gratitude, character, strength, values, motivation, meaning, and loving kindness to help you focus on one thing that you can think, feel, or do in order to make a small course correction towards happiness. Each chapter comes with exercises, something to think about or journal about, that can bring you one step closer to the life you dream about.

This is one of those books you can read in order, or you can jump around, focusing on the topics that most interest you. If you’re wanting to find more meaning in your life, then skip to part three: Who You Are and Where You’re Going. Need help with communication and relationships? Part four is for you: Talk. Listen. Love. Looking to just live a life that is bigger, more joyous, and more connected? Start with the beginning and follow the bread crumbs through to the end. You will not only find enjoyment on the path, but you as you get closer to the end, if you’ve put in the time and effort with these exercises, you will discover a more meaningful, authentic life.

When I studied psychology, I was fascinated by the idea of positive psychology. I was fascinated by the man who made this a priority during his time as president of the American Psychology Association, Martin Seligman. I started reading his books shortly after that, starting with Learned Optimism. Dr. Seligman believed that psychology should be a tool to help us live our best lives. Dozens of psychologists agreed with him and have spent years of their lives researching how to do that.

Positive Psychology in Practice is the result of all those research papers, all those hours of therapy helping people improve their lives, and all that faith that true happiness is possible for us all. This book takes the best of that research, the most tried and tested techniques, the most effective ways to live a life of positivity and present it to us on a silver platter. All we have to do is read it, absorb these lessons, and live our lives according to what we learn about how to be more authentic, more present, and simply happier.

A copy of Positive Psychology in Practice was provided by Rockridge Press through the Callisto Media Publisher’s Club, with many thanks.