Book Review: Happier Thinking By Lana Grace Riva

I’m thrilled to share something completely different to my usual book reviews. The wonderful Lana Grace Riva recently contacted me asking if I would like to read her debut self-help book Happier Thinking and after reading the blurb it sounded right up my street. Suffering from long term anxiety often my thought pattern is far from ‘happy’ and despite spending a long time working with a therapist I often struggle. I am always open to trying new techniques to find ways to discover a positive spin when those anxious thoughts start creeping in which on first glance this book seemed to be offering.

About The Book

Changing how you think is possible. I wasn’t always so sure that was true until I experienced it myself, but I know now we don’t have to just accept unhappiness. Not always anyway. This book is my collection of tips and suggestions that have helped me achieve happier thinking. It’s sort of a gym for my mind. I’d love to tell you it was easier than the real gym but well… it’s not really. It takes time, effort, and practice but it’s absolutely well worth the rewards.

Review

Written from personal experience Happier Thinking shares author Lana Grace Riva’s insights, tips and advice about how you can retrain your brain to think in a more positive way. Lana’s easy style of writing immediately makes her advice relatable as it feels like having a chat with a good friend as opposed to the complicated jargon filled self-help books I have read in the past. At only 50 pages long the book’s short, concise chapters are quick and easy to read and fantastic to dip in and out of after the initial read through.

Lana isn’t a medical professional, however having suffered bouts of depression and attended therapy herself writes from a well-informed perspective making her insights valid. When I was reading, it seemed almost like common sense as it discusses things that I know I SHOULD do, but like many people it can be hard when your thoughts are blinkered, and your automatic response is a negative one. By using real every day examples Lana shows how simple it is to start changing your thought process.

“Happier Thinking involves challenging your thought path”

I read this book a few weeks ago and have really been working hard to put her advice to the test and I have noticed myself stopping to think about my reactions and thoughts when faced with challenging circumstances that would usually have me running to (metaphorically) hide under the duvet. Reading this book has made me much more aware of my thoughts and the impact they have on my happiness and well-being, prompting me to make some subtle changes.

“Happier Thinking involves acting productively rather than thinking destructively”

This book isn’t a quick fix, so if that is what you are looking for it’s not going to be for you, but I can see that adopting some of these mindsets can make a difference over time. It’s also important to note that this book isn’t just for those who struggle with their mental health or consider themselves unhappy, there is something for everyone to take away about being more self-aware and in tune with your thoughts.

This book isn’t suitable for those with severe mental health issues and I urge anyone who feels they need help to seek it from a medical professional. Personally, having spent a long time working with a therapist I feel this book is a useful tool in reinforcing some of the things I have already learnt on my journey and will serve as a fantastic resource for me to pick up when I need a reminder on how to deal with my negative thoughts.

 About The Author

Lana Grace Riva has always loved reading but is new to writing. Her book Happier Thinking is based on her personal experience of investigating how the mind works and finding ways to maintain good mental health. She loves to learn about mindfulness, meditation, and any new approaches to keeping the mind healthy. She is currently based in the UK.

Happier Thinking is available to purchase from Amazon*

*This post contains affiliate links

** I was gifted a copy of his book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own