The Happiness Track is not really a self-help book with activities etc. It is more a book designed to highlight the many ways people are approaching success wrong, with lots of research and studies to support her arguments.

It begins by discussing misconceptions like the only way to be successful is to sacrifice, multitask, or work to excess. What she actually suggests is that we consider how we are negatively impacting our ability to enjoy our lives and, ultimately, be successful by not living in the present.

This book is packed full of research and scientific references around the subject of happiness and what may positively or negatively affect a person’s ability to feel happy. It covers why happiness is important to productivity and success.

A big focus is stress management, stress suppression and burnout, beginning with popular temporary solutions to soothe a nervous system (eg. Comfort food, alcohol, nicotine, coffee etc). It goes on to talk about why these might not be the most effective methods. She then goes into tools that have been scientifically proven to be more effective at regulating stress and avoiding ‘burnout’, with a positive effect on the mind and body. Many of these tools are about both well-being and resilience.

It goes on to explore motivation and problem-solving and failure scenarios including studies. Studies covering self-criticism and its impact on our mental health/attitude and how this can lead to ‘bad’ decisions. Also how harmful our “negativity bias” is.

Mental health, particularly depression and anxiety, is discussed throughout.

I listened to this as an audiobook and it only runs to 6 hours, so not too long, if you’re new to self help and wellness books like this.