Mental Health and Hard Times: Guides to Live a Happier Life

This book explores ukeireru, the Japanese concept of acceptance. But this mindset goes beyond the idea of self-acceptance, or accepting when certain things happen to you. Instead, it's a thought process that encourages practitioners to accept their place in the world, as a small part of a larger society. Scott Haas is a psychologist who has spent extensive time in Japan, and he demonstrates that ukeireru is about understanding our relationships to others and finding happiness and fulfillment through what we can offer other people by being mindful about how we are all connected. These concepts will allow you to identify unhealthy relationships and "downsize" them in your life, and it will also teach you to become a better listener and observer in the relationships you prioritize. Haas also emphasizes the importance of rituals that have a calming effect in daily life, so you'll be equipped to find happiness no matter what's going on in your life.

Massimo Pigliucci is a philosopher who turns to old ideas of Stoicism to offer up a guide for living a happy life. At its essence, Stoicism is about the concept of being resilient to life's hardships. But too often that's interpreted to mean that you become indifferent or unfeeling. In this book, Pigliucci argues that's not the case. His modern interpretation of Stoicism fosters resilience in such a way that takes into account joy, appreciation for hard work, and experiencing sadness and loss without being overwhelmed by it. Whether you're interested in philosophy or not, this book offers practical advice for a healthier, happier perspective on tough times.

Life is full of lots of expectations, and some of them are great. But for some of us, societal pressures can often be a big source of unhappiness, and it may be hard to pinpoint why that is. That's where Cait Flanders comes in. She encourages readers to examine what expectations or paths might be a foregone conclusion in our lives, and asks them to examine what they really want, and what will really make them happy. Drawing on metaphors or exploration, Flanders guides readers looking to take different paths, setting their own goals and intentions, and working through the uncertainty and questions to find themselves in happier places.