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How to be Sad

The Key to a Happier Life

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How to be Sad

By: Helen Russell
Narrated by: Helen Russell
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‘In any human life there are going to be periods of unhappiness. Learning how to be sad is a natural first step in how to be happier’ Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute

Helen Russell is an expert on the pursuit of happiness. In How to Be Sad she combines her powerful personal story with surprising research and warm advice to reveal the secret of finding joy: allowing sadness to enrich your life and relationships.

Timely and essential, this book is about how we can better look after ourselves and each other, simply by getting smarter about sadness.

 Emotions Mental Health Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Health Funny
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Critic reviews

'So brilliantly researched and written with great energy. And boy, did it make me think – I must have turned down 50 pages to come back to later!' Pandora Sykes
‘This is such an important subject and we would all be better off if we absorbed Helen’s robust research and kind advice and allowed ourselves to be sad’ Cathy Rentzenbrink
'So brilliant, so heart warming, so extraordinary, so vulnerable and uplifting… wonderful. Should be compulsory reading for everyone' Helen Thorn
'Helen Russell is back with another cracker of a book exploring how our relationship with sadness affects our happiness' Psychologies
‘In any human life there are going to be periods of unhappiness. That is part of the human experience. Learning how to be sad – is a natural first step in how to be happier’ Meik Wiking, CEO, The Happiness Research Institute
‘I didn't think I wanted to read this book until I read it. Then I couldn't stop. An absolutely gorgeous and insightful and intelligent and necessary book’ Hollie McNish
‘A very persuasive account of how accepting sadness as a key part of our human experience can lead to more fulfilment and ultimately more happiness. Full of moving personal insight and brilliant research. This book reframes feeling sad’ Anna Jones
‘Helen brings an entirely unique combination of research, interviews, transparency, and story-telling to every book she writes. Thank you, from all of us’ Joshua Becker, founder of Becoming Minimalist
All stars
Most relevant
Honest, heartfelt, helpful and brilliantly witty. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to understand how to deal with life’s emotional challenges and stare sadness in the eye without fear.

Highly recommended

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We all have sadness and revisiting it listening to this book has not been easy. So far, not having suffered through depression or had much in the way of mental health issues, I came to this book initially through my love and admiration of Denmark, Russell's fascinating other books and through my interest and studies in psychology and neuroscience.

I have cried, laughed, worried and questioned my own single parenting decisions, learned so much more and feel challenged and energised at 74 to give more...

This is not an easy listen, but provides a powerful punch.

A tumultuous ride but... so worth it.

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It is amusing, interesting, educational and with a great ending. It is really well worth reading.

Brilliantly written.

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This really is one of the best books I’ve read. I was hesitant to read it, wondering if it was just another self help book. But it’s not. It’s a wonderful story, that is also incredibly informative (on a factual basis) and I loved Helen’s sense of humour which made me laugh out loud on many occasions. So much I have taken from it that will stay with me.

Wow! One of the best books ever. Informative, funny, and the right type of sad.

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I’ve really enjoyed it, learning a thing or two along the way as well as having a few chuckles and cries!

Interesting and fascinatingly soothing!

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