Happy Mind, Happy Life by Dr Rangan Chatterjee

My review

4/5 stars

I've read many books of this nature over the years, so I would be lying if I said the content of this book was ground-breaking or earth-shattering - it's many of the same tips that we're given all the time in this area. Where this book stands out is how the content is delivered.

The author has a very reassuring and calm narrating voice, which went a long way to help the messages he was giving really hit home. He also included a fair amount of personal anecdotes and was refreshingly honest about his upbringing. They helped to illustrate that he's walking his own walk, instead of just talking the talk about how to get more peace and calm in your life.

The tips and tools that he provided were very accessible and felt like they could be realistically implemented into a normal daily life. This was evidenced in the case studies that the author included throughout the book. I found myself really enjoying seeing how these people had taken challenging situations and applied Dr Chatterjee's advice to improve their situations - it made me feel like I could do the same.

My favourite part of this book was the message that medication is not always the answer, even to physical ailments. The author did a fantastic job of illustrating how stress can impact you physically and cause symptoms that you wouldn't necessarily associate with stress. He gave examples of how changes in lifestyle fixed issues in patients that would traditionally be treated with pills, that left me feeling more empowered to take control of my body back. The overwhelming message is that the state of your mind has a big impact on your physical life, and that it's vital to take care of your mind and reduce your stress levels wherever possible.

Book blurb

Happiness is good for your health. Learn how to nurture yours.

During his 20 years as a GP, Dr Rangan Chatterjee has seen first-hand how motivation isn't always enough for us to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It's only when we learn how to support our own mental wellbeing and cultivate core happiness that these choices become easy.

In his latest book, Dr Chatterjee shares cutting-edge insights into the science of happiness and reveals 10 simple ways to put you back in control of your health. It features real-life case studies and over 20 practical exercises, including lessons on how to:

· Treat yourself with respect
· Improve your relationship with your phone
· Deal with criticism

Whether you are at a crisis point or simply want to experience more joy, this book will help you feel calmer, more confident, and able to live your life to the full.

More...

You can buy the book here now. It was published by Penguin.

For more on the author, you can head to his website, follow him on Instagram, or check out his Goodreads page.