| Edition |
First edition. |
| Description |
viii, 244 pages, illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm |
| Note |
"A Thomas Dunne book." |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [222]-230) and index. |
| Summary |
Draws on cutting-edge scientific studies to discuss the U-shaped trajectory of happiness, which declines from the optimism of youth before surging upward again after age fifty, and offers ways to endure the slump during midlife. |
|
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? Drawing on cutting-edge research, award-winning journalist Jonathan Rauch answers all these questions. He shows that from our 20s into our 40s, happiness follows a U-shaped trajectory, a "happiness curve," declining from the optimism of youth into what's often a long, low slump in middle age, before starting to rise again in our 50s. This isn't a midlife crisis, though. Rauch reveals that this slump is instead a natural stage of life--and an essential one. By shifting priorities away from competition and toward compassion, it equips you with new tools for wisdom and gratitude to win the third period of life. 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. |
| Contents |
The voyage of life: Thomas Cole's journey -- and mine -- What makes us happy (and doesn't): the strange illogic of life satisfaction -- A timely discovery: how unsuspecting economists (and apes) found the happiness curve -- The shape of the river: time, happiness, and the curve of the U -- The expectations trap: midlife malaise is often about nothing -- The paradox of aging: why getting old makes you happier -- Crossing toward wisdom: the happiness curve has a purpose, and it's social -- Helping ourselves: how to get through the U -- Helping each other: bringing midlife out of the closet -- Epilogue: Gratitude. |
| Subject |
Middle age -- Psychological aspects.
|
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Happiness.
|
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Interpersonal relations.
|
|
Happiness. (OCoLC)fst00951160
|
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Interpersonal relations. (OCoLC)fst00977397
|
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Middle age -- Psychological aspects.
(OCoLC)fst01020359
|
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Happiness.
|
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Middle age -- Psychological aspects.
|
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Midlife crisis.
|
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SELF-HELP / Aging.
|
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SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Happiness.
|
| ISBN |
9781250078803 (hardcover) |
|
1250078806 (hardcover) |
| Standard No. |
40028178258 |
|
