Wisdom, he says, is balanced, reflective, active -- "the happiness curve is a social adaptation, a slow-motion reboot of our emotional software to repurpose us for a different role in society." The last two chapters were a bit more self-helpy, and I found they dragged a little bit, but I think this was because the things he suggests to get through the slump seemed pretty obvious to me, probably because I've already looked into/been implementing a lot of those things because I have a lifelong battle with waxing and waning depression & anxiety (don't go it alone - share how you are feeling with friends/counsellor, try something new, use meditation and mindfulness techniques etc.) The last two chapters also talked about the beginnings of a movement to redefine what older age looks like (the 50s and 60s) similar to how adolescence as a distinct life phase had to be defined with the rise of the industrial revolution. That was somewhat interesting. Why does happiness get harder in your 40s? Why do you feel in a slump when you’re successful? Where does this malaise come from? And, most importantly, will it ever end? And Rauch can testify to this personally because it was his own slump, despite acclaim as a journalist and commentator that compelled him to investigate the happiness curve. His own story and the stories of many others from all walks of life—from a steelworker and a limo driver to a telecoms executive and a philanthropist—show how the ordeal of midlife malaise reboots our values and even our brains for a rebirth of gratitude.

We are biological beings, a product of evolution. With a warm heart and a light hand, Anders Hansen explains what this means for our mental well-being Karin Bojs

A fascinating exploration of the ways in which our ancient neurologic wiring is mismatched for the modern ecosystem. By understanding depression and anxiety through the lens of evolution, we can make sense of the growing despair in the world today and do something about it. This is a must read for anyone hoping to understand the human brain. * Dr. Anna Lembke, New York Times bestselling author of Dopamine Nation *

Although I'm not quite middle-aged yet (35 - so probably on the downward curve) the idea of the happiness curve and many of the other ideas about happiness resonated for me. I interviewed dozens of people for this book trying to understand in an intimate, textured way how they experience life satisfaction over time. I have learned what we all already know. There is no single, standard trajectory for human happiness.” The book was a little slim on 'what-to-do-about-its' because, I think, most people don't quite know what to do about it. I would have enjoyed a little more info on how to make the best marriage/family life throughout your forties. I would have enjoyed examples that weren't mostly wealthier career people. It left out anyone without a traditional career trajectory. Additionally, the end petered out a little bit for me--I could have easily skipped it. Studies have examined all sorts of extrinsic and intrinsic factors -- income, education, wealth, fast or slow growing economies, depression, and so on. The author provides a very indepth review of these studies and how different kinds of happiness are defined (affective vs longer term life satisfaction). Hansen explains the possible physiological origins of depression and anxiety, and how these two conditions are actually signs that the brain is functioning as it is meant to. He maintains a good balance between providing plenty of details and still being understandable to the layman. His thoughts and advice regarding things like calming strategies, loneliness and exercise are nothing unique, but he explains them using neuroscience in a very articulate and easy to understand manner.Psychiatric specialist Dr Anders Hansen joined The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with cinch to impart wisdom from his two books, The Happiness Cure and The Attention Fix. The best non-fiction is as easy and rewarding to read as the best fiction, it holds your interest, it focuses on facts in a way that makes it all that much more real, a visual, and maybe emotional experience. This was, for the most part, not a book I ever felt fully engaged in, and while it had some parts that were more compelling, it felt mired down by the way it was told. Rauch also supplies plenty of studies that demonstrate the universal principles of underlying wisdom and where people usually end up on the other side of the trough: