Miriam Akhtar – författare

According to the World Health Organization, 350 million people worldwide currently suffer from depression. This book is aimed at anyone suffering mild to moderate episodes who would like to help themselves get better using natural anti-depressants. After all, happiness is not a spectator sport. The text explains key strategies to help you not only overcome depression but also reduce the chances of it occurring or recurring. As such, it acts as both prevention and cure. As you practise the simple yet highly effective exercises, you will find your mood lifting, your confidence, resilience, positivity and strength growing, and your outlook becoming more optimistic. These strategies come from a combination of the author's professional knowledge and practice, and her background as someone who has suffered from depression herself. Miriam begins by explaining the core principles of Positive Psychology – what it takes to feel good, function well and flourish. She then goes on to focus on how the scientifically-grounded techniques of Positive Psychology, such as learning to savour positive events, practising gratitude, playing to your strengths and learning optimism, can help to prevent visits from the dreaded 'black dog' and, ultimately, allow the sun to shine on your life once more.

What is happiness? What can we do to be happier? Why does happiness matter?In this beautifully illustrated little book, leading Positive Psychologist Miriam Akhtar introduces us to the key ingredients of a well-lived and fulfilling life.Drawing on her expert knowledge of the Science of Happiness, the author shares 12 evidence-based Happiness Habits and the key practices that will help us obtain and sustain happiness in our daily lives - such as connecting with others, feeling gratitude, spending time in nature, being mindful, savouring the moment and practising positive emotion.Bursting with practical, accessible tools and easy-to-follow exercises, this little book offers readers invaluable advice on how to create the best conditions for a happy life, well lived.