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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I very much enjoyed Buettner's other Blue Zone book so I read this one with a heap of optimism that was frequently dashed. I did like the research on the happiest places and the reasoning behind that. I personally noticed how happy the people were in Costa Rica and my guesses as to why turned out to be accurate. Also I've read about the Danes so I was familiar with their culture. The Singapore research was all brand new to me. The book focused on happy societies based on the 3 Ps, pleasure, purpose, and pride. The research as to how a society can affect people's happiness made a lot of sense to me. Having the security of knowing that you won't go bankrupt if you fall ill, knowing that you and your kids can go to college without 6 figure debt, having an extended community of caring people, working less, etc etc. Of course those things make people happy.
I was more annoyed though by his ideas on how individuals should apply these ideas to their lives. First the good, I do have a job that gives me a sense of purpose. Even though a lot of the actual work is tedious often frustrating paperwork, I work closely with those who benefit from said paperwork and that makes me feel satisfied and it very rewarding. I also very much like my boss and co workers and I do have a lot of interaction at work.
The research showed that the happiest cultures don't have the huge wage inequities (like the US does) so you aren't surrounded by others living with luxuries that you don't have. I also have a small home and I don't have a lot of clutter so yay me. Also I am not materialistic and I don't see advertisements and I could not care less about 'keeping up with the jones's' .
The disturbing part was his views on marriage and that everyone needs to be married to be happy. Nonsense! How many miserable married people are there in the world? I know his numbers show that the percentage of married people that would consider themselves happy is higher than for single people but that is very individual. It is nowhere near 100%. You can be very happy single. This very much depends on the person. Also when he once again says "find someone to love, loners aren't happy". What kind of nonsense is that? Why is he assuming that if you are single that you are a loner? I have close friends and faraway family that I love. No one, including myself, would call me a loner. He actually had in his book that societies should encourage divorcing couples to explore staying together! How condescending. I almost threw the book across the room. Forcing people to stay together who are in miserable marriages will not benefit them. That leads to extreme depression, self harm, addictions, abuse, and suicide. How can he be so naive?
Financially he also had the figure that was in a recent controversial article about your housing, car, utilities, and groceries together not being more than 50% of your salary. That is extraordinarily privileged. I would have no car and could not afford to live anywhere if I went by that rule.
Religion. We are not all religious. This idea about finding a church that resonates with you does not exist if you don't believe in a god. You can't just force yourself to believe something in hopes that it will bring more happiness to your life.
Working under 40 hours a week. Who are these privileged people who can choose to work less than full time? And also how does that fit with the other things that cost money to be happy and with that 50/30/20 equation? Most people don't dictate their hours, do they?
Socializing for 6 hours a day? I'm going to assume he meant interacting and I do get that in my job and with my friends so yes, that is a major source of happiness in my life. He told introverts to act like extroverts and that seems like it would make them very unhappy. Why can't people be who they are? They would be incredibly drained if they tried that.
I have more but this is too long, I didn't even address inferring that cats were not good companions. Summary was there were helpful tibits that I will add but overall frustrating b/c he made a ridiculous amount of assumptions .
I was more annoyed though by his ideas on how individuals should apply these ideas to their lives. First the good, I do have a job that gives me a sense of purpose. Even though a lot of the actual work is tedious often frustrating paperwork, I work closely with those who benefit from said paperwork and that makes me feel satisfied and it very rewarding. I also very much like my boss and co workers and I do have a lot of interaction at work.
The research showed that the happiest cultures don't have the huge wage inequities (like the US does) so you aren't surrounded by others living with luxuries that you don't have. I also have a small home and I don't have a lot of clutter so yay me. Also I am not materialistic and I don't see advertisements and I could not care less about 'keeping up with the jones's' .
The disturbing part was his views on marriage and that everyone needs to be married to be happy. Nonsense! How many miserable married people are there in the world? I know his numbers show that the percentage of married people that would consider themselves happy is higher than for single people but that is very individual. It is nowhere near 100%. You can be very happy single. This very much depends on the person. Also when he once again says "find someone to love, loners aren't happy". What kind of nonsense is that? Why is he assuming that if you are single that you are a loner? I have close friends and faraway family that I love. No one, including myself, would call me a loner. He actually had in his book that societies should encourage divorcing couples to explore staying together! How condescending. I almost threw the book across the room. Forcing people to stay together who are in miserable marriages will not benefit them. That leads to extreme depression, self harm, addictions, abuse, and suicide. How can he be so naive?
Financially he also had the figure that was in a recent controversial article about your housing, car, utilities, and groceries together not being more than 50% of your salary. That is extraordinarily privileged. I would have no car and could not afford to live anywhere if I went by that rule.
Religion. We are not all religious. This idea about finding a church that resonates with you does not exist if you don't believe in a god. You can't just force yourself to believe something in hopes that it will bring more happiness to your life.
Working under 40 hours a week. Who are these privileged people who can choose to work less than full time? And also how does that fit with the other things that cost money to be happy and with that 50/30/20 equation? Most people don't dictate their hours, do they?
Socializing for 6 hours a day? I'm going to assume he meant interacting and I do get that in my job and with my friends so yes, that is a major source of happiness in my life. He told introverts to act like extroverts and that seems like it would make them very unhappy. Why can't people be who they are? They would be incredibly drained if they tried that.
I have more but this is too long, I didn't even address inferring that cats were not good companions. Summary was there were helpful tibits that I will add but overall frustrating b/c he made a ridiculous amount of assumptions .
While the information is interesting, it not nothing revolutionary. I felt like the length could have been cut in half because the recommendations were fairly general—much of them being common sense.
I first read about the Blue Zones, areas in the world where people have the longest lifespans, in National Geographic a decade or so ago. Since then I’ve been intrigued with learning more about how these cultures and communities support longevity and well-being.
Blue Zones - 5 geographic areas where people statistically live longest:
- Okinawa, Japan
- Sardinia, Italy
- Nicoya, Costa Rica
- Icaria, Greece
- Loma Linda, California (Seventh-day Adventists)
This book offered a look at how those living in Blue Zones arranged social institutions, community, and their daily lives to support happiness. Dan Buettner, the author, notes that there are three distinct, yet interrelated, strands of happiness that compliment one another and create happiness: pleasure, purpose, and pride.
There were practical tips that anyone could apply:
- Socialize at least 6 hours a day (work with people you like)
- Bike / walk to work (commuting makes us so, so unhappy)
- Sit on your front porch (engage in the community)
There are individual choices one can make (exercising, eating fruits and vegetables), however a large portion of what impacts individual happiness is based on social institutions, government and the environment. The way nations, neighborhoods, and family households organize directly influence individual well-being. Individual happiness is intimately related to the governmental and cultural values.
Blue Zones - 5 geographic areas where people statistically live longest:
- Okinawa, Japan
- Sardinia, Italy
- Nicoya, Costa Rica
- Icaria, Greece
- Loma Linda, California (Seventh-day Adventists)
This book offered a look at how those living in Blue Zones arranged social institutions, community, and their daily lives to support happiness. Dan Buettner, the author, notes that there are three distinct, yet interrelated, strands of happiness that compliment one another and create happiness: pleasure, purpose, and pride.
There were practical tips that anyone could apply:
- Socialize at least 6 hours a day (work with people you like)
- Bike / walk to work (commuting makes us so, so unhappy)
- Sit on your front porch (engage in the community)
There are individual choices one can make (exercising, eating fruits and vegetables), however a large portion of what impacts individual happiness is based on social institutions, government and the environment. The way nations, neighborhoods, and family households organize directly influence individual well-being. Individual happiness is intimately related to the governmental and cultural values.
I was very happy that I read this book. The basic concepts are not going to surprise anyone, and I am sure anyone who read the other blue zone books probably see a lot of similarities, but I really liked how each section had some practical tips on what may work in our world today.
Each country example that was used are different in their own way and when tied to the practical steps that one can take allows for is each person to decide what drives them and what if any adjustments they can take in their lives.
It reads well, has data to back it up. Worth the read
Each country example that was used are different in their own way and when tied to the practical steps that one can take allows for is each person to decide what drives them and what if any adjustments they can take in their lives.
It reads well, has data to back it up. Worth the read
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
This book confirmed many of the ideas I have recently read on happiness. To name a few, find work which puts you in a state of flow, socialize, meditate and/or be religious, volunteer, be active and sleep enough, etc.
Some of these I already do (I love sleep) while others like meditate or volunteer are new to me. Since meditating feels like the smaller commitment, I’m giving it an honest try and am so far pleased with the results. It cheers me up, calms me down, and brings focus to my work. I plan to continue.
Overall a good book, and one that will influence how I live.
Some of these I already do (I love sleep) while others like meditate or volunteer are new to me. Since meditating feels like the smaller commitment, I’m giving it an honest try and am so far pleased with the results. It cheers me up, calms me down, and brings focus to my work. I plan to continue.
Overall a good book, and one that will influence how I live.