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For many of us, the days seem to fly by in a blur of responsibilities—of work and chores and other obligations. We seem to have so little time for the things that really make us happy. But in Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters, researcher and professor Cassie Holmes helps readers reorganize their time and responsibilities to make their days happier.
This upbeat guide presents a multitude of research in lifestyles and happiness to help readers live their best, happiest life. In opening, the author explains her motivation: a moment of frustration and sadness (and maybe even some mom guilt) while riding the train home from giving another lecture instead of spending the time with her husband and their young son. It inspired her to make some major life changes and also to do some additional research, which she turned into a course at UCLA. And she shares her discoveries—and the exercises from her class—throughout this book.
While the book lays out a lot of academic research, though, it doesn’t feel like a textbook—or like a scholarly lecture. It isn’t necessarily a quick read—because you’ll want to take your time to absorb all of the information and work through the lessons. But the author does present it in a way that’s conversational and relatable. She shares stories and examples from her own life—or from students or family members—so you’ll be able to understand her assignments and take away some important lessons.
Really, the findings of the studies discussed in this book aren’t especially surprising. In fact, for most readers, they’ll seem like common sense. We know what makes us happy and what stresses us out. But while these findings may not always be astonishing, the way in which the author uses these studies to help readers schedule and prioritize their lives to make every day as happy and fulfilling as possible can be incredibly eye-opening. And her tips and suggestions make so much sense that you’ll wonder why you hadn’t thought of some of these techniques yourself.
If you’re looking for a little peace and happiness in the middle of your busy, non-stop life, Happier Hour will help to guide you through the things that you need to keep, the things you need to change, and the way to rearrange your schedule to keep your life balanced and fulfilling. It may not be a shocking read, but it will definitely open your eyes and lead you in the right direction.
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