Find Joy again…a science help book

Tanith Carey sparks joy in this book. Just reading this book and understanding why you have been feeling the way you feel could change everything. Life can be in every measurable way good, you know you’re not depressed, but somehow the colour has drained from life, and you don’t get the same joy from activities you once did. Tanith explains that anhedonia (or feeling blah) is the trickster robbing you of fully enjoying life. Small changes in what we do each day, can, over time make all the difference.

Tanith explains the science perfectly. She describes what anhedonia is, it’s history and causes. Using the latest discoveries in neuroscience she explains exactly what is happening in the brain and the body as we age, and life’s stresses and strains take their toll on us. I like her clear referencing to the many scientists she has learned from.

Tanith’s use of her personal journey and other contributors’ short stories really brings the book to life. Anhedonia has multiple factors and the quiz in the book will help you discover which elements speak to you. Some I had not experienced at all, yet others really spoke to me and I think Tanith deserves every praise for creating a book that will speak to as many people as possible.

As a man I found Tanith’s descriptions of what the women in my life are going through during the menopause particularly helpful. She has given me an even more compassionate and patient outlook on what women go through at a hormonal, brain, body, and behavioural level. This book should be included on every workplace menopause awareness course. The increase in understanding about what we face at different life stages would greatly increase workplace understanding and empathy.

Equally the description of the andropause was enlightening. I’d certainly found my natural get up and go had got up and gone. I was having to will myself through more and more and some of the hobbies and interests I used to enjoy were no longer as much fun. Although I use many positive psychology practices, they could not prevent the physical changes of aging and I once again needed to adapt to my new older reality. This book directly addresses that aging reality and most importantly what we can practically do about it.

Most useful of all is ‘Part 3: How to Feel Fully Alive’ which is effectively a science help book. Based on all the latest science and research (noting that science can and will change as it develops and learns more) there are multiple examples of what has been found to work to overcome the many forms anhedonia takes. If anhedonia has crept up on you the good news is your brain can change. Just as a physiotherapist might help us recover from a physical injury by slowly increasing our range of movement and strength over time, we can do the same with finding joy in our activities again. Anhedonia tricks us into believing we need to feel better to enjoy things gain. In reality, we need to do more of the things we enjoy, slowly at first, and retrain the brain to enjoy those activities. Tanith has listed many proven activities that may help you with whatever feeling drew you to this book. Choose the ones that appeal to you. The temptation to pop a pill to fix things is also covered yet there are many was to recover naturally too. To treat my particular male age related hormonal decline I’m off to chop some wood outside on a sunny day…you’ll understand when you read the book.

Spark joy.

The most memorable moment of the book for me was the advice to spark joy. It is used here in relation to curating your social media feed so that you follow those who spark joy. I think it can be applied far more widely that that. Spend time with people who spark joy in the real world and online, doing the activities you enjoy, it’s a life changer.

Thank you Tanith Carey for your superb book and above all, sparking joy.

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Fantastic Listen

Really interesting book - I would thoroughly recommend for anyone who is feeling a bit meh!

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1 person found this helpful

Many phrases resonate with me!

I liked the way the book illustrates the concept of anhedonia and offers many sound ideas on how to gradually improve your mood and feelings

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Amazingly insightful

A wonderful book. Finally helped me understand where and who I am. Many times, as I was reading, I was thinking “But what about….?”, only for the book to respond as if anticipating my questions. Poignant, insightful, and ground-breaking. Would thoroughly recommend to those looking for an answer to what they are feeling (sensing that “depression” doesn’t feel like the right label). It offers guidance and suggestions that can be implemented immediately.

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Brilliant summary

I really enjoyed this. it covered loads of topics I've read about, but the books are usually too long and I forget what the point was!
A brilliant summary of all of the options currently out there for anhedonia with easy to follow actionable tips. I can't rate it any higher. I'll be listening again but taking notes this time.

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