Reddit reviews Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment

Well... violence doesn't work and all you described falls into this category, even chocolate and fapping. Rewards presuppose punishments and punishments are violent.

Focusing on what doesn't work, doesn't work either. :D

So, my advice is to focus on what's been proven scientifically to work. This means Positive Psychology. Happier is the best book I can think off. The language is very accessible.

BigThink interview with Tal Ben Shahar contains a list of 5 things you can do today.

For a different take, see the BigThink interview with Shawn Achor.

there is a book i read recently and it has improved my life a little bit. one thing I always have been is to be proactive. just keep moving and do something. something sucks? do something else. move to another place. get a small job somewhere even if it's "lower than you" I quickly realized that a connections can happen anywhere and you just need one connection with someone to change your life!

the book I was talking about is this
although, I'm about half your age, I too have been in a desperate point in my life and hated everything about it. I saw no good happening to me in the future and I had no idea how to get there. but like you, I just kept going because JUST MAYBE something will happen if I just keep moving. anyways, this book helped me feel better and made me think a lot. hope it helps! good luck!

I read about these situations in a book called "Happier" by Tal Ben-Shahar. It makes the argument that even activities that appear to be self-sacrificing occur only because of selfish motivations. These motivations are not wrong. In fact, it is better to accept this and live accordingly.

Surely it is apparent that a person would very possibly join the millitary to please his parents, or for financial gain (free college). Charities have the draw of making people feel better about their charitable giving. Parents have the draw of getting a feeling of satisfaction from seeing their children excel. Each of these examples demonstrates how the individual that is doing the giving gets this feeling of satisfaction in return. (In fact, people may even do these things while not realizing they are doing it to impress others.)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0071492399/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=2571725205&ref=pd_sl_51o4zpukvr_b

Fear cuts deeper than swords

OOH I LOVE SCAVENGER HUNTS. Placeholder. I'm working on this. Goodbye sunday night productivity.

EDIT Aug 11, 11:44pm PST

1.) something that is gray.

2.) Something reminiscent of rain. It rains so much in my city and on those days I like to have my tea and soup and all the yummy hot homecooked food at school in the library while I study. I already have a great thermos for my tea and hot cocoa but not for my soups/food.

3.) Something food related that is unusual. I don't know if this is necessarily food related but WOOOO TEA. MANA-TEA. Seriously this is awesome.

4.) Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. A wii for my mom because she has been wanting a wii or ipad for a long time. My bro and i think the wii would be better because at least we could all play it together when we go home to visit.

5.) I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It's the book I just finished reading and I feel like it has helped me a lot. I am so much more motivated and driven and it is helping me make some tough choices in my life. I am a senior in college but this book can help anyone who is at any place in their life I think. I currently have this on my wishlist which is like a supplement to the book. Seriously though, read it, share it with everyone you know. Let's make the world a happier place.

6.) An item that is less than a dollar. Awww yeee. They always seem to have one of these on the coffee table at my brother's house. Wherever he lives. Even though it's never his. But yeah, they're cool but I don't actually want one.

7.) Something related to cats. THIS IS SO AWESOME. I have another mug with the disappearing thing on my wishlist too. But yeah, I love cats, I just don't have much cat stuff on my wishlist. I do need a real cat though... hint hint nudge nudge

EDIT Aug 12, 12:15am PST

8.) Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it. Okay it's not Amazon but it is beautiful and I have had my eye on it for a year. Despite that fact that I do not plan on having children for at least 8 years. Dem hormones are a'ragin.

9.) I know it's not REALLY a movie but... A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why? Because it is so beautiful and awe inspiring. It really brings me a sense of peace every time I watch it.

10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain. I can put on my holy strainer hat and pray to The Flying Spaghetti Monster to save me from the zombies.

11.) Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals. I know I used this for another one but really, I think doing these exercises would help me in all areas of life.

12.) One of those pesky Add-On items. These beauties, even though I doubt I can grow them without a yard...

13.) The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why? My little acer hand me down freezes a lot, can't do multiple things at once, doesn't have a cd drive, has a screen too tiny to edit photos or edit my website. Basically everything is frustrating. And I'm a college student. So I use the computer for basically everything... and everything the little laptop CAN do takes forever.

EDIT Aug 12, 1:51am PST

14.) Something bigger than a bread box. If you don't think that is big enough, then here, but it's newly added.

15.) Something smaller than a golf ball. Well, I'm pretty sure this is smaller than a golf ball. If it wasn't, I'd be disappointed.

16.) Something that smells wonderful. Mmm imagine the ginger lemon grass!

17.) A (SFW) toy. And here's another one because I couldn't decide which one looks more fun...

18.) Something that would be helpful for going back to school.

19.) Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be. Currently obsessed with learning all kinds of new jewelry techniques! Also obsessed with tea because it's the one thing my boyfriend and I developed an interest in together. It didn't start out as either of our interests.

20.) Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand. THIS IS SO PRETTY AND USEFUL AT THE SAME TIME. Seriously so cute, has lovely details, 8gb, and you can wear it as a pendant. Whaaaat!

EDIT: this lovely is made in oregon!

Because I wouldn't mind being happier. Cinnamon Toast Crunch!

So I generally think self-help books are nonsense, but [this book] (https://www.amazon.com/Happier-Learn-Secrets-Lasting-Fulfillment/dp/0071492399) changed my life and views towards my illnesses (N w/ C and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome). It examines the pursuit of happiness in the face of the realities of life and our propensity as humans to rarely be satisfied with our lives. The author used to teach a course (based on the book) at Harvard that was the most popular course at the university.

Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson

The How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky

A Primer in Positive Psychology by Christopher Peterson

Happier by Tal Ben Shahar

and Flourish by Martin Seligman

As a start! There are so many more depending on your specific area of interest, but these are some of the best that describe the research by the researchers themselves.