The Science of Positivity: Stop Negative Thought Patterns by Changing Your Brain Chemistry
Written by Loretta Graziano Breuning
Narrated by Amanda Carlin
4/5
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About this audiobook
Sometimes it's easiest to look for the worst in every situation--our brains have evolved to scan for problems in order to help avoid them. But you can transcend this natural negativity--if you know how.
The Science of Positivity teaches you how cynical thought habits are formed, and how you can rewire yourself to go beyond them. Neurochemical expert Loretta Graziano Breuning, PhD, empowers you to transcend negativity by creating new thought habits. You'll learn simple, practical actions you can take to shift your thinking to a way that causes your brain to reward optimism with the release of happy chemicals. You can even permanently replace cynical thought patterns with realistic and optimistic thoughts.
In just minutes a day for six weeks, you will build new pathways to see the world in new ways. Frustration is an inevitable part of life, but rather than using cynicism to manage frustration, you can rewire your brain to get beyond it.
Loretta Graziano Breuning
Loretta Breuning, PhD, is the author of Habits of a Happy Brain and The Science of Positivity. She is the Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. As a teacher and mom, she was not convinced by prevailing theories of human motivation. Then she learned about the brain chemistry we share with earlier mammals, and everything made sense. She began creating resources that have helped thousands of people manage their inner mammal. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Psychology Today, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, and on Forbes, NPR, and numerous podcasts. Her work has been translated into Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Turkish.
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Reviews for The Science of Positivity
106 ratings11 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a great perspective on positivity, linking common sense to science and society. It provides insight on happiness-producing neurotransmitters and offers mental exercises to re-wire the brain for a more positive outlook. Some readers found the information repetitive but still valuable. The narration in the audiobook was robotic and monotone, which affected the overall experience for some. However, the book is well-written, clear, and relatable, helping readers understand their reactions better and adopt better habits. Overall, it is highly recommended for those interested in mood and behavior.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The first several chapters of this book discuss the intersection of behavior, biology, brain structures and mammalian evolution and how human survival mechanisms can lead to a cynical outlook in life. Really interesting stuff. The last couple of chapters discuss mental exercises you can commit to that will slowly re-wire your brain to have a more positive outlook.
The problem with the audiobook is that the narrator is stone-cold boring. Really robotic and monotone. It ruined the book for me because it was laborious to pay attention to. I imagine that if I had read the book myself, I would have given 4 stars.2 people found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is a fantastic perspective on positivity. I now think of my reactions to things with a new perspective, and it has been very helpful I'm going to reread to make sure I didn't miss anything!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Sooooo good! This book links common sense to science to society. Highly recommended!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A lot of references to cynicism but still amazing!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So well written. The explanations are clear and relatable. I find myself understanding my reactions better and attributing them to brain chemicals easily. Best of all, I am able to change bad habits and adopt better habits.. Breuning gives you the why and the how. The absolute best author on mood and behavior.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The content was really nothing new but I always like hearing good information over and over. The narration was terrible, sounded robotic. It helped to speed it up
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Half chapter is about positivity. The book says that if our ancestors survived without food for days, we have to be positive because we have everything. Literally nothing exciting about this book. The women who is “reading “ it is more like when my phone read to me something.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great book, really useful and well written. Better than most scientific oriented books.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Great information about neuroscience..would like more “how to” techniques.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5The book's advice: think about a good thing happening in your life 3 times a day, every day for 2 months. That should help you look on the bright side. That is all. That is LITERALLY all the advice. The other chapters of this book includes information about various happiness-producing neurotransmitters, but there's nothing about "changing your brain chemistry". Instead the author constructs and refutes many strawmen of negative people who, in her view, waste time and energy being concerned about things. Instead of being concerned, the author urges, just look at the bright side and that will make you happier.
Genius advice indeed! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great insight on our happy hormones ?, very easy read.