Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way

I love all of the Blue Zones books!

Dan Buettner takes the broad and difficult to measure topic of happiness and delves into the four places on earth where people rate their happiness to be highest in Thrive. In each location, Denmark, Singapore, Mexico and San Luis Obispo, California, Buettner looks at factors such as culture, geography and government policies to see how these factors impact the happiness of the citizens. Buettner does not spend his time researching who is happiest but relies on existing data to dictate this information. Thrive takes a look beyond where happiness is rated highest and gets to the core of why people are happiest in each of these four locations. The work of this book is to get to know the people in each spot and understand why they are, as a whole, so happy. In each location Mr. Buettner meets with a cross section of society to understand how the factors above impact each segment of society differently. Buettner travels with a trash collector in Denmark and spends time with a bedridden wheeler dealer, he interviews a housewife in a Singapore and talks with every person that will spend time explaining to him their equation for happiness and how the established circumstances impact their quest for happiness. Buettner also, as a well connected author writing for National Geographic, has access to Singapore’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew as well as royalty in Denmark and various other jet setting and policy making individuals. Buettner approaches each with the question of why happiness is rated so high in their location and what their own personal happiness factor is. Buettner’s writing style is conversational and the reader feels that they are part of the adventure. At the end of each chapter Buettner summarizes what he has learned about each culture and what can be taken away from the research he has done. Each of the four locations has it’s own formula for happiness and none of those can be duplicated but we can take pieces of what Buettner has uncovered and apply those lessons and observations to our own lives. We might not care to or be able to move to Denmark but the idea that education, trust, having a voice in society and security leads to increased happiness gives us insight into why a population that is very highly taxed is so happy with their lives. In each of the four happiness hot spots there are trade offs and pay offs and getting inside of the balance is fascinating. Loved learning about the recipe for happiness around the world while traveling with such a gifted writer.

I have followed Dan Buettner’s work closely since I first met him at an event where he spoke inspirationally about his travels by bicycle around the world. A lot of travelers collect places like trophies and then move on. Not dan Buettner. He looks and listens closely while he is there and long after he’s gone the sights and sounds play in his understanding like essential pieces in the puzzle that is life on Earth. He holds them, turns them, figures them out and then in his insightful, readable and companionable books his puts the pieces together to create pictures of the most meaningful elements of human existence. In Blue Zones it was life itself, and in the fascinating, brave new volume Thrive it is happiness in our lives. There are many counter-intuitive, and perhaps hard to hear lessons on what makes places happy. Often happiness collides with our idealistic views of ourselves, often our happiness is not the kind that economists have easy times with and, most often, happiness makes us thrive in ways we may not have understand until DB offers us the mirror. This is a global book at what makes people flourish. It is about us and what we do for each other. It is humane. It is essential. It is about beauty. I find myself rereading it, citing it and being inspired by it.

Wonderful Read! Very informative, about long living throughout the world, even the U.S. has a zone or two to be explored! What I found most interesting was that the culture of the peoples in out of the way places Worldwide had one specific thing in common to their Longevity! Religious belief! This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, in recent yrs., Dan Buettner, has outdone himself on this one!

It is not a secret when you read Thrive. I learned that Happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life. Buettner engagely writes about his travels to the happiest places on earth, and shares the results with his readers. I loved this book. * Highly recommended. *

loved it

We have had the pleasure and fortune of knowing Dan for almost 20 years now, and because of this, we have been immersed in his literature since then. We’ve read almost everything he’s published from his many articles to all of his books beginning with SovietTrek to Thrive. We are both educators and really appreciate good writing when we read it! We thrive to teach our students to write like Dan writes. His voice, witty humor, knowledge, and experience is so easy to read, and although he talks about many deep issues….it’s always an engaging, entertaining, and informative read!We’re all looking for the magic “happy pill/recipe”, and there is none! However, Thrive offers practical everyday ideas for all of us to incorporate into our daily lives. The personal stories that Dan shares not only teach us about other cultures but connect us to them and show us how they find happiness in their lives. Probably our favorite part was that each country had a family component that led to their happiness. Dan himself ALWAYS puts his family and friends first. Despite his busy work schedule (on planes, trains, and automobiles constantly!), at the end of the day, no matter how far (logistically) away he is, he is always present!We’ve learned so much from his writings and have been blessed to be considered part of his family for many years. We constantly strive to implement his way of living into our lives. Thrive is a MUST read book is you want to find HAPPINESS each and everyday in YOUR life!Mary and Maureen (Chicago)

good information

AN INTERESTING READ TO BE PRACTICED SINCERELY TO ACHIEVE POSITIVE THINKING AND HEALTHIER WAY OF LIFE, THINK POSITIVE IMBIBE IDEAS AND LIVE LONG. THE LIFE IS OF FIVE F’s 1.FOOD 2. FRIENDS 3. FINE WINE 4.FORNICATION AND 5.FUTURE TO LOOK TO. VIJAYAPRASAD

This book provided enlightening insights to keys to happiness in life. Enjoyed summary of how to apply the research findings regarding countries where people are most happy to everyday life.

Very easy to read, interesting, and makes you want to go and visit other places round the globe. Lots of background knowledge about the different countries and their cultural heritage. He deals with one country per chapter and summarizes the main points and at the end of the book suggests things we can all do to make our own lives a bit happier. (although having glanced at them they seem quite obvious!) Good book and would recommend it to others.

Very Interesting read

I have set a goal to live for a couple of months in Denmark. Dan writes in a way that makes you want to visit each of these countries or Blue Zones so he says.

I have followed Dan Buettner’s work closely since I first met him at an event where he spoke inspirationally about his travels by bicycle around the world. A lot of travelers collect places like trophies and then move on. Not dan Buettner. He looks and listens closely while he is there and long after he’s gone the sights and sounds play in his understanding like essential pieces in the puzzle that is life on Earth. He holds them, turns them, figures them out and then in his insightful, readable and companionable books his puts the pieces together to create pictures of the most meaningful elements of human existence. In Blue Zones it was life itself, and in the fascinating, brave new volume Thrive it is happiness in our lives. There are many counter-intuitive, and perhaps hard to hear lessons on what makes places happy. Often happiness collides with our idealistic views of ourselves, often our happiness is not the kind that economists have easy times with and, most often, happiness makes us thrive in ways we may not have understand until DB offers us the mirror. This is a global book at what makes people flourish. It is about us and what we do for each other. It is humane. It is essential. It is about beauty. I find myself rereading it, citing it and being inspired by it.

Great product just as described

The stereotypical American Dream isn’t really a recipe for happiness. It’s often a recipe that encourages some amount of dissatisfaction – most especially, in appreciating the status quo of where we are and what we have.This isn’t a point the author lays out in the book, but I did infer it from reading about what makes people in other societies happy. I was surprised to see that the pursuit/acquisition of money and power didn’t statistically translate into happy lives. This opened my eyes to something I’ve always suspected but never articulated.The usual northern European countries are represented highly on the happiness scale, but I was also very surprised to see the less wealthy Mexico surface. And it is intriguing to learn that it’s not really wealth that makes places like Denmark so content (it’s more about lifestyle).I never heard of happiness studies before, and now I’m fascinated. I now pick up books about this topic whenever I find them (the book “The Geography of Bliss” is another good one to consider).”Thrive” actually changed my life. It led me to reconsider where happiness comes from; it even lays out action items for the pursuit of such. There are many insights here that we could actually implement, personally and as a society.”Thrive” is a keeper on my resource shelf. I return to it again and again to remind myself of all the different paths possible for making a happy life. Highly recommended if you are interested in the new science of happiness studies.

I thoroughly enjoyed Dan Buettner’s other Blue Zones book, 

The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest (Paperback)

. I had high expectations for this new book, and it didn’t disappoint me. While the first book deals more with the physical aspects of extending one’s lifespan, this book covers ways to increase your happiness because, after all, what’s the point in living a long life if you are unhappy doing so?In this book Buettner visits the happiest cultures in the world, instead of the longest-lived. Topping the happiness chart are the Danes in Denmark, and the author spends many pages analyzing why. He then visits Singapore, Monterrey in Mexico, and San Louis Obispo in CA, USA. Although it’s obvious at the conclusion of the book the environment of these places can’t be replicated exactly, there are many lessons to pull out of each of them that could be applied to life nearly anywhere to improve happiness.

After reading Blue Zones, I have become a fan of Mr. Buettner’s way of looking at the world and how he communicates this vision. While Blue Zones created the frame, Thrive serves to create the beautiful art. I found Buettner’s world hopping analysis and perspective inspiring and thought provoking. Thrive should be required reading for the world’s leaders. I would highly recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this book, it read easily and effortlessly, and it felt rather like a comfortable conversation with an old friend. Most importantly, it made me not only pause and ponder and appreciate all that I do have in my life, but made me realize how and where I can improve my fun quotient, per se. And, too, it made me realize how easily that is done if we only take time to look around and appreciate. Having spent a good deal of time in Denmark, I can only say the author is spot-on in his observations and conclusions of that very interesting country.As they say, Life is no dress rehearsal, and I do think Thrive is a really good guide for getting the most out of any given day.

Dan Buettner does a huge service for the reader by tracking down and digesting huge amounts of information and research, distills it down to doable chunks and changes for the average person and delivers it all to us in an engaging manner of an experienced storyteller. One of the compelling ingredients in his recipe is the balance of security vs freedom. After reading the section on Singapore, a culture of rules and regulations that has yielded not only huge financial success but huge happiness as well, it frames the debate for life in America where we value personal freedom above all. The lessons from Denmark, Mexico and San Luis Obispo are provocative, at a personal level and worth a serious read for city planners, community leaders, legislators, educators and more. Mr. Buettner’s engaging style makes me want more learning from his global perspective. What’s the next book , Mr. Buettner?

Wonderful Read! Very informative, about long living throughout the world, even the U.S. has a zone or two to be explored! What I found most interesting was that the culture of the peoples in out of the way places Worldwide had one specific thing in common to their Longevity! Religious belief! This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, in recent yrs., Dan Buettner, has outdone himself on this one!

When I first read the book description, my interest was immediately piqued. I’ve read articles here and there about happiness, but never a full book accompanied by an exploration of different model cities around the world that exemplify happiness.Overall the book was well written, and the personal stories within each culture were riveting. Moving from Denmark to Singapore, Mexico and finally to the US, the book read like we were on the journey of discovery with the author on what makes these guys happy. Some of the traits at first seemed contradictory, but made sense in their context. I liked at the end of each section the concise summary of each culture, along with the global recap of actionable items that you yourself can take to change your life towards a happier place.The one thing I’d say is that I ordered this book to read because on the description (and the different cover shown on Vine), but I would probably have never picked up this book to read it in the bookstore with its current cover. The cover gives me the impression it’s a self help book. Which while you can draw lots of tips from it for yourself, is more than that. That’s not to say that self-help books are bad, but so many are so cheesy that I was a bit alarmed when I first received this book in the mail.Glad I did finish it in the end!

excellent read for anyone wanting to improve there life style. entertaining and will written and narrated. looking forward another Blue Zone book

Wife loves the book

N/A

I have enjoyed reading this book. The research and information force you to start thinking about the American approach to life. I learned about a few countries and what help their people to thrive and I have started making changes to help my family to thrive. I believe this is a great book to read if you are ready to make some changes in your life and get out of the race “to keep up with the Jones”.

Since I have written about Dan Buettner in The Washington Post for about thirty years, and since I am also in this book in a brief passage about Denmark, please hold this review up for close scrutiny. If you do, I think you may still find it of value.THRIVE is a valuable book for those of us who want to tune up our happiness because it doesn’t preach at the reader, it allows us to travel with Dan as he listens to those who in small and at times large measure are examples of traits and qualities that can make a person happy. Dan’s great strength–in all of his research projects over the decades–has been the ability to ask the questions we need answered, and then allow us most of the time to discover the answers ourselves.Dan is also an extraordinarily descriptive writer. His description of my home and life in Denmark made me homesick (I am in the states as I write this). Reading THRIVE is like being there, which is a writing trait that seldom happens in a how-to-book.You probably won’t see this Buettner trait unless you spend time with him: Dan is a living example of what this book preaches, rather than an author who writes about something but doesn’t live it. Take the importance of family. Last month, after reading THRIVE and seeing the importance it puts on family, I spent two weeks with Dan and his three kids in Minneapolis. It was a very glam time in many ways: a movie star, a famous director, elegant gatherings of very bright people. But at night, when the big party was gathering steam and growing, Dan’s comment to me without even thinking was, “Actually, I miss my kids. Let’s go home.”THRIVE is an honest book and an elegant book on a complex issue. You’ll enjoy taking this journey with Dan.

People are happy from well-thought policies by the state, not just the opportunities for being able to be rich. The US has allowed corporations, through advertising, to warp our thinking by pounding us with the message that we will only be happy if we buy more products. Buettner offers another way to pursue.

Research into quantifying happiness has made big progress lately, enough so that researchers can begin to draw conclusions. This book approaches happiness from the perspective of location: what about living in a certain place, in a certain culture, makes people happier.Not so long ago I spent an entire month doing nothing but fly around the USA to find the city which would suit me best… and it’s not an easy choice. I was *very* interested to read this book and see if my guesses were backed by data. And while people and what makes them happy are complicated, for the most part THRIVE has answered my questions.There are four regions picked out for study. The author, Dan Buettener goes to each one and tries to find their secret of happiness through interviewing both average people and influential people, and just living in the area for a while. The four regions are:Denmark: happiest nation in the world.Singapore: happiest nation in Asia.Mexico: happiest nation in the Western Hemisphere.San Luis Obispo, Californa: happiest city in the USA (As far as I could tell, it’s technically #2 in happiness, but leads overall when several indicators are aggregated. The actual happiest city is Provo, Utah.)I found both Singapore and Mexico surprising, but the facts are undeniable, and once studied, the reasons behind the happiness trend in those areas make sense.Finally, the book closes with some conclusions that people can take away in their own lives to maximize their own happiness. The advice isn’t shockingly weird, but it’s not totally obvious either.If you are willing to be mobile and flexible and make changes, this is the guide you need to optimize your happiness. It’s also fun to read. Buettener writes in a friendly, easy-to-read, unjudgmental way. I am now interested in visiting Denmark, Singapore, Mexico, and San Luis Obispo, and I think they’ll feel familiar once I get there.

Bought for my husband. I asked him to say a sentence about it, he said “it was uplifting and its a book you want to finish” ..

I have read numerous books on happiness and this one is heads and shoulders above the rest. The author’s writing style is very enjoyable, and at the same time you learn what studies have shown that truly make people happy. You gain many insights while traveling with the author around the world to the places identified in global studies as “happiness hot spots”. From the surprising socialist paradise of Denmark where their is relatively only one middle class and the government takes care of basic needs so citizens are free to pursue hobbies, family life, and feel secure in their future. While we find in Singapore a more authoritarian one party government that along with providing security for its citizens they also ensure adequate shelter, food, health care, and ethnic harmony. Singapore has created a society which is efficient, orderly, well educated, cultivated, and courteous, citizens can learn the arts, culture dance, and music. The overwhelming majority of the country is middle class and they go out of their way to make sure they don’t have an upper class. The government has banned chewing gum, they have the consequences of caning for many misdemeanors and hang people for possessing a half ounce of opium. So crime is very low there. They also have workfare instead of welfare and provide jobs and subsidize the pay of those that need it. The citizens of Singapore are the happiest of any in Asia. Would you believe parts of Mexico are the happiest places in North America? Most Mexicans have an emphasis on social life over dedication to work which aligns with the happiness study showing most people need 6 to 7 hours of social time a day to maximize well being. When interviewed one Mexican said he was rich when he made what average mid-level managers made in the United States. He said he was not rich because he had a lot of money but because he had few needs. Mexico has some benefits from the sunny climate, but they are happy through their sense of humor, close friendships, close family, their religious faith, and they are not materialistic as a whole. Many Mexicans find happiness with friends over a few drinks while telling jokes. What makes us happy?:)1. A caring group of healthy friends.2. Working at meaningful jobs.3. Engaging in enriching hobbies.4. Staying in reasonable shape.5. Volunteering.6. Belonging to faith based communities.What makes for a happy nation?:)1. Economic Freedom.2. High employment rate.3. Tolerance.4. Quality of government.5. Status equality6. Sunny climate bonusExcellent book I highly recommend for those that want to be happy. Is that not what are ultimate journey is for?8. Fair l

Amazing!

Dan Buettner is noted for his study of societies where people live long and healthy lives. In this book he looks at the question of happiness and discovers some places where people are reputed to be happy. It should be noted that these places are considered happy as a result of various surveys and are not merely places that Buettner picks himself. One of the criticisms in these reviews is that Buettner is just expounding on his own biases; thus it should be clear that the happiness attributed to these places is based on objective surveys.That said, Buettner identifies four places where people are happy: the Nicoya Penisula of Costa Rica, Denmark,Singapore, Northern Mexico and especially around Monterrey and the city of San Luis Obispo in central California. Given the variety of these places it is not suprising that happiness varies considerably within them. At the some time some common threads stand out. For one, money (and things) is not the primary source of happiness. Beyond a certain point material goods do not contribute significantly to happiness. What does contribute is social connections and a sense of purpose in life. In Singapore people are happy despite a strick authorian government because they are afforded security and a clean environment which they trust the government to provide. In Mexico there is no trust of the government (or the police) but people do put their faith in God. They enjoy life and are not “serious” in the way Americans are. In Denmark people are willing to pay high taxes (60%) because the government provides them with what they want–universal health care and free education through college for example. Again trust and personal freedom are also factors. In SLO community involvement is important and a healthy environment.The thing that makes people most happy is time spent in intimate relationships–with family and friends.I think this book is important because it can show us what will result in greater happiness for us. We can study these people and ask what aspects of their life are missing from our own and gain from this comparison. If happiness is the most important value for most people then this book is essential reading.

This book was very interesting. I was interested by the places that were listed and why they were there. I also liked finding out the things that made up a happy place to live and how they differed from each other according to their priorities.

Wonderful reading.

Initially I was put off by the simplicity of this book….the writing would be easily accessible to the average 8th grader, the organization is so apparent that someone could easily read the final conclusions of this book over 20 minutes of coffee at a Barnes and Noble cafe. Yet, I think this book is worth purchasing in hard cover.The lessons of this book are ones we have heard repeatedly: people over stuff, experiences over things, community over ambition so all consuming that it in engulfs one’s life. The unique value of this book, in my opinion, is how the author describes how these lessons cross countries, economic strata and age groups. While this book will most likely appeal to mature adults, there is a real value here for parents of children as well…as you guide your children towards “success” and building life skills in childhood, value not only grades, scores and potential income, but also value social skills, resilent attitudes and self-knowledge.This is one of those rare books which speaks to all age groups, across all cultures.

This was an excellent study that Dan undertook to find the happiest people in the world and why they are/were happy. FYI – it had nothing to do with money, power or outward appearances of success!!!!

When I was reading “Thrive,” I almost felt as though I was next to Dan Buettner, with him as he traverses the earth and talks with locals and researchers. “Thrive” is a good refresher course we all should take now and then to identify attitudes and patterns in our own lives, and reset ourselves back on course to strive for happiness.One does not need to pack up the dog and move around the globe. “Thrive” points out facets in other’s lives that you can apply to yourself–Dan Buettner provides happiness findings from other cultures that you can apply to your own life.”Thrive” not only makes you look inward, it makes you look upon others with fresh eyes–maybe finding there is less reason to envy those with more, and on the contrary, more reason to envy those with less. And even find that perhaps one does not want to strive for a 10 on the happiness scale.Make some adjustments and appreciate what you have: security, good relationships with friends and family, and to stop and smell the roses–literally. “Thrive” reminds you that this is all that matters.

My wife and I started implementing the points in this book, with great results. My co-workers tell me I’m one if the most relaxed and happy people they know

This book has changed the way I think. It is so insightful. I really enjoyed reading about the Blue Zone way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about real people from around the world. The writer captured the bare essence of life and created a feeling of happiness, contentment, and persistence to life throughout each story. A true book about Thriving in countries today. Makes me want to change many areas of my life-starting with environment, people/social circles, and home. I think the rest of life, one full of health, happiness, and freedom follows the foundation.

travel with dan buettner to visit the happiest people on our planet the geographical locations surprised me but not the criteria for this sometimes elusive state of being an interesting informative read for anyone looking for a sense of well beingpeace of mind and a sense that much is right with our world meet people not so different from yourself in a variety of cultureswith enough things in common to identify happiness as attainable for you right where you are

Good follow-up

Excellent