Introduction

From ancient civilisations to the modern day, philosophers, writers, artists, religious leaders, and health practitioners – to name a few – have debated the questions: What is happiness? and How can we achieve it? In this book, we take a meandering journey through the rich philosophical landscape of contentment, by way of Norse mythology, Persian symbolism, Scandinavian lifestyle, Buddhist teachings, and Aristotle’s theories. By exploring the many different facets of research and thinking on happiness, not only will we better understand this elusive concept, but we will also be armed with an array of practical ways to improve our personal wellbeing.

In a world obsessed with happiness, How to be Content is a chance to take stock of this age-old question – we may just discover that we already have the answer!