I was sent a copy of Happier Thinking by Lana Grace Riva to review, but upon reading this book, I think a blog post would suit it much more. This is a book with tips and examples of how to change your way of thinking and to train your brain to think happier.
Lana is talking from her own experiences, which in my opinion always speak wonders. I feel like I can trust her as a writer because I know she has experienced deep sadness and has come out of the other end. Her book explores several topics and how we can change our method of thinking. Such as; being okay to change plans, not writing off a day, acting on change and being okay with changing our path.
I think it’s incredibly important to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel when you’re going through a dark time. This book tells you that and it tells you how to reach it. I’ve asked Lana a few questions which she has kindly answered for me about her own experiences with mental health and her book.
What gets you through your darkest times?
Reminding myself that dark times pass. Winston Churchill’s quote ‘If you’re going through hell, keep going’ always sticks in my mind – I think ‘keep going’ are two incredibly powerful words to focus on when you are struggling. They can represent hope and remind that feelings/situations are always changing, you just have to hang on till they do.
Do you have any quotes that inspire you to think happier?
I like the simple quote ‘The little moments? They aren’t little’ by Jon Kabat-Zinn. We often get so caught up in believing that we will only be happy when the big things in our lives are going well. When we have a good job, a good relationship, a good house. But there is so much more that fills a day that can provide us with happiness if we are open to it.
Have you had any wonderful success stories because of your book?
Many people have told me they have put into practice their favourite chapters and found it has already helped them.
You’ve listed scenarios in the book to change your way of thinking and be happier, which one speaks the most to you?
Journal good things – whether you write them down every day or simply take time to acknowledge them when they appear. This can make a big impact if you are prone to negative thinking. For many of us it’s more natural to notice bad things and devote more time to thinking and worrying about them. This then causes us to miss noticing the good things. When you consciously redress this balance by making time to think of the good around you it can really improve your mood.
If you feel in need of some guidance and want to think happier, this is a short book that is perfect for your bedside. It’s easy to read a chapter or two as and when you fancy it and find some help in the pages of this book.
