Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson

Positive emotions (joy, serenity, love, etc.) are potent and astonishingly useful, Fredrickson writes. (13) She wrote this book to help readers reshape their life toward positivity for the best possible future.

First comes the studies and the science behind her book, the latest information to elighten and inspire. Pursuing positivity every day doesn't mean just saying some affirmations or giving fake smiles. In fact, faking positivity may actually do harm. (35) Sincerity is important, finding the good in every struggle. Being positive leads to a more fulfilling life, to less pain and to being better able to bounce back from adversity.

Next comes the practical part of the book, practical suggestions to take action toward being more positive. Some of her suggestions include a media diet, awareness, reframing, savoring, dreaming, connecting with others and much more. She has even provided online resources to calculate one's positivity factor.

This is a good book. It is a little academic in style but there is a great deal of useful information contained in it. We can choose to be more positive, leading to a more fulfilling life. Fredrickson gives us the information and means to do it.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Barbara Fredrickson, PH.D., earned her undergraduate degree from Carleton College and her doctorate from Stanford University. She is currently Kenan Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with appointments in Psychology and the Kenan-Flagler School of Business. She lives in Carrboro, North Carolina, with her husband and her two sons.

Harmony Books, 288 pages.