How to Be Less Miserable
By Lybi Ma
In How to Be Less Miserable, Lybi Ma, the executive editor of Psychology Today, provides strategies that challenge negative thinking and inspire a more positive mindset.
As human beings, we are all predisposed to a negative mindset. This tendency is a byproduct of the evolution of our species. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors had to stay vigilant at all times--what if a man-eating predator was lurking in their midst? It was more important to be aware of potential danger than to find food. It's part of our genetic code, and we've carried this innate predisposition that something bad is about to happen to us into the twenty-first century. Even the most optimistic among us aren't immune.
How to Be Less Miserable offers current research on the human brain's tendency toward negative thinking, why we do it, why it's so hard to stop doing it, and how we can use evidence-based methods to overcome the patterns that lead to anxiety, depression, and more. The author covers a wide range of topics, including:
healthy ways to pursue happiness
how to overcome stress and anxiety
tools for dealing with emotions
building resiliency and mental flexibility
the importance of social groups
the perils of social media
personal growth and the pursuit of passions
being kind and true to yourself
The strategies found in this book are based in large part on wisdom from the experts and researchers Lybi Ma has worked with throughout her career. They provide helpful and meaningful ways to manage and overcome negative thinking. Ultimately, How to Be Less Miserable is for anyone searching for a different way to think about emotional and mental health.
This discussion guide was provided by the publisher, Blackstone Publishing.
Book club questions for How to Be Less Miserable by Lybi Ma
Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.
What brings you joy?
In what ways do you make the effort daily to stay positive?
- What kinds of crossover do you have with Lybi’s methods for positive thinking?
- What kinds of differences do you see in your own methods vs. Lybi’s?
What do you do to stay calm in stressful situations, and how can Lybi’s tips for avoiding and managing stress supplement your own?
How often do you think about mental and emotional health day to day?
How often do you talk about mental and emotional health day to day?
What kinds of emotions surround conversations about mental and emotional health for you?
What brings you comfort?
What can you take from this book into your day-to-day life to help you stay away from negative thinking going forward?
How to Be Less Miserable Book Club Questions PDF
Click here for a printable PDF of the How to Be Less Miserable discussion questions