Ever Wonder If You Can Have MORE Joy in Your Life?

Can everyone experience joy?

Is there a formula for joy in life?

Are some people just naturally more happy and joyful?

These are a few of the issues contemplated in This Is Your Brain On Joy by Dr. Earl Henslin. Henslin takes his personal experience as a therapist coupled with the research and work of Dr. Daniel J. Amen, a psychiatrist who has spent his career studying the brain, and shares the functions and dysfunctions present in the brain. In addition to covering healthy brain function in the five "Mood Centers" of the brain, Henslin also discusses several common medical diagnoses including ADD and Depression. A holistic approach to a healthy brain, this interesting and thoughtful book shares medicinal and herbal recommendations as well as suggesting various exercise, nutrition and even musical and cinematic therapies for increasing joy.

Admittedly, this book took me a few tries before I got interested. The beginning seemed bogged down in details and medical terminology. But, once I got through the first couple of chapters, I was hooked! I took the "Amen Brain System Checklist" and was amazed at how accurately it described me. And, I immediately read the chapters that related to me specifically.

The most compelling aspect of this book was that it combined our physical, emotional, and spiritual selves ... something that many "self-help" books miss. By recognizing how integral good nutrition, proper rest and exercise, healthy relationships, and a sense of spiritual well-being are to a healthy brain function - and healthy living on the whole - Dr. Henslin, offers the reader a great deal to consider and implement to improve his or her "joy quotient."

Overall, I feel this book is well worth the read but you should realize there are some places that are a little slow. I received this book as a part of the Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger program. http://www.brb.thomasnelson.com/

Rating: 4 stars